Lamar Jackson is somehow the most improved player on the Baltimore Ravens

A dozen superlatives could be used to describe Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson this season.

While not the most flattering, “most improved” is one of them.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently revealed a list of every NFL team’s most improved player through 10 weeks of the season.

These are players “who have taken that proverbial next step whether due to natural development, scheme changes or an expanded role,” and they all have seen an uptick in production this season compared to previous seasons.

Knox also chose to focus on veterans specifically, since obviously rookies don’t have past pro seasons to use for comparison.

For the Ravens, Knox curiously picked Jackson as the most improved:

"“Former NFL MVPs don’t usually make lists like this one either, but it’s worth recognizing just how much more prolific Lamar Jackson has been as a passer in 2021…The MVP in 2019 has made significant strides in the passing department. Yes, he had a down game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 10, but he’s also on pace for a career-high 4,622 passing yards.”"

It’s hard to argue why, out of all Ravens players, Jackson deserves this imaginary award the most, but he has been at the center of the Ravens’ much, much improved passing game.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson wins ‘most improved’ award so far this season

In 2021, Jackson has recorded the exact same pass completion percentage as last year (64.4), but his passing efficiency stats across the board are putting him on track to beating 2020’s numbers and even achieving career-highs.

As Knox notes, Jackson is on pace for a career-high 4,622 passing yards, which feels very attainable given the rest of Baltimore’s schedule.

If the Ravens continue playing like they did against the Miami Dolphins, Jackson may run into more problems, but watching the Ravens’ passing attack last year compared to this year is like night and day.

The higher volume and higher expectations overall clearly haven’t hindered Jackson’s ability to hurl the pigskin, or to run, for that matter — Jackson is doing it all with 639 rushing yards on top of his 2,447 passing yards through 10 weeks of the season.

Jackson has won plenty of awards and broken so many records that one would think another Ravens player is due for some league recognition.

No such luck.

Even in the “most improved” category, Jackson continues to reap the rewards.