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2018 NFL Draft: Key strengths and weaknesses for Lamar Jackson

By Maxwell Ogden

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 30: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals passes the ball in the first half of the TaxSlayer Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 30: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals passes the ball in the first half of the TaxSlayer Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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LEXINGTON, KY – NOVEMBER 25: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball while defended by Chris Westry #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the game at Commonwealth Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY – NOVEMBER 25: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball while defended by Chris Westry #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the game at Commonwealth Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Strength: Running Quarterbacks Can Win

Lamar Jackson is a run-first quarterback, which has created the foundation for this debate. Most question Jackson’s NFL fit due to the fact that quarterbacks who tend to tuck and run the football tend to struggle in the NFL.

Or do they?

In 2017, eight quarterbacks ran for at least 300 yards. Of those eight players, six helped their respective teams reach the playoffs: Cam Newton (754), Russell Wilson (586), Tyrod Taylor (427), Alex Smith (355), Blake Bortles (322), and Marcus Mariota (312).

The only exceptions were MVP candidate Russell Wilson (586), rookie Deshone Kizer (419), and Dak Prescott (357), who led the Dallas Cowboys to the playoffs in 2016.

Not on the list was Carson Wentz, who ran for 299 yards in 13 games and led Philadelphia to an 11-2 record. Close behind him was Deshaun Watson, who ran for 269 yards in seven appearances, and had Houston off to a 3-4 start to the season, with three single-digit losses to teams that finished above .500.

As Taylor and Bortles have proven, all Jackson needs to do is take care of the ball to help his team win games. Thus, the track record exists for Jackson to succeed as a running quarterback.

If he improves his accuracy as a passer and better understands when to run, then the potential will exist for Jackson to become a star.

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