If the Baltimore Ravens do franchise tag Lamar Jackson it does not come close to the end of that story. The team is almost more likely to trade him if they do resort to the tag because it means that they are not coming to terms on a longer-term deal.
If that is the case, who are the teams most likely to trade for Lamar Jackson?
5. Would Indianapolis Colts trade Baltimore Ravens for Lamar Jackson?
The Baltimore Ravens may prefer to trade Lamar Jackson to the NFC, but the Indianapolis Colts may have the best offer. The reason is pretty obvious, the hold the number four overall pick. The Chicago Bears could trade Justin Fields for Lamar Jackson, but they have so many needs. The same can be said for the quarterback-needy Houston Texans, and the Arizona Cardinals are still committed to Kyler Murray.
So, the Indianapolis Colts have the highest draft pick that could net Lamar Jackson. Let’s just say it, their owner also may be the most prone to do something crazy, he did hire Jeff Saturday after all. Still, the job by Saturday got them this high of a pick, and now Jim Irsay may be able to leverage that pick for Lamar Jackson.
For the Ravens, a package centered around the number four overall pick has to be one of the more enticing offers out there. You just wonder how desperate the Colts are, and what exactly they would throw on top of that. The team could get quite the haul.
4. Are the Carolina Panthers in play to trade the Baltimore Ravens for Lamar Jackson?
When you look at the Carolina Panthers, they have been starving for a quarterback. They went from Teddy Bridgewater to Sam Darnold then Baker Mayfield. They would love a chance at Lamar Jackson. Frank Reich came from the Colts, and we know their quarterback situation has been just as dire from Phil Rivers to Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan.
So, the owner, General Manager, and head coach are all foaming at the mouth to have an answer at quarterback. The draft could do that, but they also could find themselves trading for Lamar Jackson. They already have Bradley Bozeman at center, so why not?
The big thing that helps the Panthers is while their owner is not quite as off the wall as Jim Irsay, he is desperate, and he is ready to spend a lot of money. He has always said he will spend as much as any team, and he has some real money. If there is a team that will go above and beyond to pay Lamar Jackson, it is the Panthers. With the seventh overall pick, they could also land him.
3. Atlanta Falcons should be calling the Baltimore Ravens for Lamar Jackson
If any team is well equipped to drop Lamar Jackson right into their offense it is the Atlanta Falcons. They just had Marcus Mariota in their offense, and they were one of the more run-heavy offenses. It helped that they used Mariota in the ground game, but the upgrade from Mariota to Jackson would be notable.
So, the scheme is a fit, and with Jackson, he would get to play with Drake London and Kyle Pitts. I think he would sign off. They also pick eighth overall, so the package to get Jackson is in place with a possibility.
This one is pretty easy to see. The question is whether the Baltimore Ravens would rather take te eighth pick if the seventh or fourth pick is on the table. If not, how can the Falcons go over the top to make this happen?
2. The Detroit Lions are the perfect trade partner for the Baltimore Ravens
The Lions did not run an offense that they could drop Lamar Jackson into, but you could easily imagine how he would fit with the Detroit Lions. They have a strong run game, and without a quarterback who can run, they have a great power running attack.
The duo of DeAndre Swift, and Jamaal Williams would only get stronger when linebackers freeze due to Lamar Jackson and his talents. Beyond that, the Lions know that they need to upgrade over Jared Goff if they want to go over the top.
Thanks to the Rams, they happen to pick sixth, but they also have the 18th overall pick that is their own. This gives them a lot of flexibility to build a package that fits the Baltimore Ravens’ needs. If they feel that is now is the time to strike, they probably will never have the draft capital to make it happen again. The Lions have never been this close to being the hot and all-in team, and they could be willing to go over the top to get the Ravens to agree.
1. Is Lamar Jackson ready for the bright lights of New York?
Lamar Jackson wants to be the star and wants to be under the bright lights, so no spot better than New York. The Jets only have the 13th pick, but if any team would go crazy and get over the top for Lamar Jackson, it would be the Jets.
The Jets are another team built to win now. You have heard them all-in on both Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. If Rodgers does not commit, would they really take Carr over Lamar Jackson? Or would they be ready to offer the same package they sent to Rodgers for Jackson?
Let’s assume that Carr goes to the New Orleans Saints, and Rodgers goes to the Las Vegas Raiders. What in the world do the New York Jets do? They offer whatever it takes to get Lamar Jackson on their roster.
The Baltimore Ravens are in a good spot where a lot of teams have good reasons to outbid each other for Lamar Jackson. They do not have to deal him, but listening can only increase other offers.