Former QB Gives Ravens' Lamar Jackson Top Praise

Lamar Jackson wasn't always viewed as the 2x MVP-winning franchise centerpiece that he's since blossomed into.

It was only seven years ago when the raw, run-first quarterback went 32nd in the 2018 NFL Draft. Jackson played sparingly as a rookie behind veteran starter Joe Flacco, but loudly broke onto the scene in the following season when he won his first MVP behind his league-leading 36 touchdowns and 1,206 rushing yards, which remain a career-high of his.

Back then, it was that blistering athleticism with which he churned out wins. He was next to impossible to catch in the open field between his agility, evasiveness and acceleration, but that rushing game along wasn't enough to sustainably maintain that level of play.

Jackson bounced back from a few injury-plagued seasons shortly after the turn of the decade with a more advanced pocket presence, and the league took notice. He's been named as the First Team All-Pro quarterback over the last two years, and has firmly elevated himself into the position's top tier.

ESPN's Dan Orlovsky ran down the top 10 quarterbacks at several notable skills required of the position, including arm strength. Jackson was considered among the game's elite in every listed category, getting nods as the fourth-ranked arm by strength, third-most accurate ball-placer, fourth-best at throwing mechanics, third-best decision-maker with the football, second-best pocket presence, best rusher and most capable at second reactions once the ball's been snapped.