2019 NFL Draft: Thankfully Ravens already have found their quarterback

The Baltimore Ravens found their quarterback of the future in Lamar Jackson. It was perfect timing because the 2019 NFL Draft quarterback crop isn’t great.

All stats were obtained from Sports-reference.com 

Looking at the 2019 NFL Draft class, the Baltimore Ravens got their franchise quarterback at the right time. Lamar Jackson was the last quarterback drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft and he has more potential than any of the quarterbacks coming out in 2019.

The top two quarterbacks in the 2019 draft class are Dwayne Haskins and Kyler Murray. Haskins is the most complete passer of the crop. Murray has the most buzz around him and is coming off a Hiesman winning season. Both Haskins and Murray have one common concern attached to them, they only have one big year on their college resumes.

Jackson had three monster seasons at Louisville. While he never had a 4,000 yard passing season in college, became a superstar. After he threw for less than 2,000 yards as a freshman, he had back to back years over 3,000 yards passing. He scored 57 passing touchdowns between 2016 and 2017 all while being the best running quarterback in college football. There was a lot of tape on Jackson for the Ravens to learn from. Haskins and Murray have one season in the limelight.

Haskins put up incredible numbers in the 2018 season. He had 4,831 passing yards and 50 passing touchdowns. He is the most intriguing quarterback to come out of Ohio State, but Ohio State hasn’t produced great NFL quarterbacks.

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Murray hasn’t seemed to get as much criticism as Jackson for being a running quarterback because he had a great season passing at Oklahoma. Yet he had 140 rushing attempts in 2018 and scrambling is a huge part of his game. He’s 5’10” and he has a very lean build. Jackson’s sustainability is constantly questioned, but it is a much bigger concern for Murray.

If the Ravens wanted Murray or Haskins they would have to have a pick much higher than the 22nd overall pick. Jackson was taken with the 32nd overall pick. One reason why that was possible was because there were so many worthy quarterback prospects. The Ravens don’t need a quarterback in 2019 and it’s a good thing. It would be a lot harder to get the right one this year, especially in the back end of the first round.

Last year there were five quarterbacks who had legitimate first round buzz going into the draft. Baker Mayfield was the real deal. Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold looked the part. Josh Allen had a monster arm and was a good athlete. Jackson was dynamic as all get out. This year there may be four or five quarterbacks taken early, but it’s a much different class.

Murray and Haskins are sure things and quarterbacks like Drew Lock, Daniel Jones and Will Grier don’t make the most compelling draft class. Lock had a good run at Missouri but I have major questions about him at the next level. Daniel Jones was okay at Duke but he never eclipsed 3,000 yards., Will Grier has questionable footwork and West Virginia quarterbacks have never done much in the NFL.

The Ravens may have saw the quarterbacks that would be available in 2019 and gotten a sense of urgency last April. They may have known that this past crop of quarterbacks was better than the one embarking on an NFL career this offseason. Jackson was their guy and it looks like it’s working out one year in. Flacco has been traded and Baltimore is building a Jackson friendly offense to kickoff a new era of Ravens football. It’s a good thing the Ravens have already found their quarterback of the future.