The NFL community has come together to question if Lamar Jackson can make the necessary throws at the highest level. Jackson is an explosive and dynamic athlete with a big arm, but his ability to complete passes on short-to-intermediate routes has been questioned.
At the 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Combine, Jackson will have an opportunity to address those concerns by throwing accurately in the passing drills.
Jackson should test well in the portion of the Combine that measures a player’s athleticism. Even if he doesn’t, there’s enough game film to show that his speed in pads can make even the most stout of defenses uncomfortable.
Jackson can also throw a beautiful deep ball that doesn’t hang on him, which is one of the primary reasons he’s received Michael Vick comparisons.
If Jackson is going to be a first-round draft pick, however, he must show progress on the other two levels. His throwing motion is better than most, but the ball tends to sail on him on throws of 10-to-15 yards—an issue that will ultimately lead to interceptions if it isn’t corrected.
Jackson may have the highest ceiling of any quarterback in this draft class, but he needs to show that he’s improved in this regard since the end of the season.