Lamar Jackson: Would starting right away actually help his progress?

It’s a notion that’s hard to explore, because the running line is that Joe Flacco will be the starting quarterback in 2018; but would starting the Lamar Jackson era early actually help?

Lamar Jackson is a very unique quarterback prospect. He’s essentially the next Michael Vick, however Jackson’s game is his own. The Ravens drafted him with the 32nd overall pick, they traded back into the first round and in doing so, Baltimore made things interesting. Surely, the plan is to start Flacco in 2018 and have Jackson develop on the practice field, rather than under the lights at M&T Bank Stadium. It seems like the smart thing to do, but is there another way of looking at this?

Carson Wentz had a huge second season that allowed the Philadelphia Eagles to lock up the number one seed. That number one seed was crucial because Wentz got injured and Nick Foles had to be the man under center to end the regular season and for their playoff run. Wentz grew in his rookie season. He didn’t get damaged, rather he gained confidence and learned how to go about the quarterback position. Now we’re looking at Wentz as the next Tom Brady.

In 1998 the Indianapolis Colts started Peyton Manning as a rookie. He showed a ton of promise and tossed 26 touchdown passes. He took some lumps and he had 28 interceptions that season; however things changed drastically in 1999. Manning had his first 4,000 yard season in his second season, scored the same number of touchdowns and threw 13 fewer picks.

Joe Flacco’s rookie season was successful, but without a good team around him it would have been ugly. Flacco threw for just under 3,000 yards and had 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Flacco threw for 3, 613 yards for 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in year two. The Ravens weren’t planning on starting Flacco right away, but it worked out.

The 2nd year jump:

More from Ebony Bird

• Ravens Super Bowl odds present fascinating insight on Lamar Jackson’s future
• Should Baltimore Ravens be interested in this recently released WR
• Do the Baltimore Ravens have serious interest in this free agent wide out?
• NFL Draft Profile: Anthony Richardson is the perfect pivot for Baltimore Ravens
• New Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code for Ravens Fans 

These are just a few examples, but if you look at the numbers of good quarterbacks, there is a pattern there. A steady start with some growing pains tends to leapfrog into great production in the second season. Jackson is a gamer. He always shows up and he shines when he is leaned on. He was at times a one man show at Louisville. Some players learn from their time as the understudy, some learn with on the job training. The Ravens’ rookie is a go-getter, he needs the pressure of a game to prepare for.

Jackson obviously isn’t a Manning and Wentz is a different kind of quarterback. Jackson and Flacco have one similarity (a rocket arm) everything else is completely different. The point is that if Jackson is the guy, and he truly is special, starting him as a rookie could help him grow into his superstar form earlier than scheduled.

Aaron Rodgers is a great example of a quarterback who waited and he’s the one pundits point to for the take it slow approach. Tom Brady didn’t play in 2000 and was forced into action in 2001 and his numbers follow the second season pattern. There are two ways of doing this and being patient with Jackson could be the responsible thing to do. The idea that Jackson could benefit from starting right away is against the grain of the typical train of thought. It’s just so tempting, isn’t it?

The Bottom Line:

The reward of a second season for good quarterbacks is huge. Becoming damaged goods is a legitimate concern for any rookie quarterback, but if you believe in said rookie quarterback that may not be an issue. The Ravens talked themselves into Kyle Boller, this is not the same situation. Jackson has all the signs of being really good. Getting him through his rookie season as a starter would allow him to take agency of his own progress.

Next: Different Offensive Line Combinations for Ravens

In the end, don’t expect Jackson to be the guy until 2019. The Ravens aren’t inclined to make Flacco the most expensive bench warmer they’ve ever had. Jackson also needs work on his mechanics and pocket passing. The Ravens probably won’t start Jackson in his rookie season, however it would make more sense than most people seem to realize.