With The First Pick
Fansided

2018 NFL Mock Draft: Final evaluations before the Scouting Combine

By Maxwell Ogden

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – OCTOBER 14: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals throws a pass in the first quarter of a game against the Boston College Eagles at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – OCTOBER 14: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals throws a pass in the first quarter of a game against the Boston College Eagles at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

16. . Quarterback. Louisville Cardinals. Lamar Jackson. 21. player

The Buffalo Bills made the playoffs in 2017 despite splitting time between run-first quarterback Tyrod Taylor and pass-first quarterback Nathan Peterman. Taylor is a high-quality player, but neither exactly check the box of a star-caliber performer.

With back-to-back first-round draft picks, the Buffalo Bills shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to take a chance on the most dynamic talent at the quarterback position: Lamar Jackson.

Jackson has his weaknesses, but it’s rare that a player combined arm strength and athleticism in the manner he does. He can make something out of nothing with his legs, and can fire a ball down the field with borderline absurd power.

Improving his accuracy and decision-making as a passer will be crucial developments, but Jackson shouldn’t be written off so quickly.

In a backfield with LeSean McCoy, Jackson would have a chance to take what Taylor has achieved to another level. That’s no slight against Taylor, but instead a comment on the fact that Jackson is younger, taller, and has a higher ceiling.

Jackson may be polarizing, but there may not be a better organization to tap into his potential than the Bills at No. 21 or No. 22 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.

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