Where Would Baltimore Ravens MVP Lamar Jackson Rank If He Was In 2024 QB Class?

Where would Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson rank among quarterbacks if he was coming out of Louisville in this year's draft class?

Nov 11, 2017; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) / Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into next season, the Baltimore Ravens are poised to be contenders, thanks largely to the fact that the team still has two-time MVP Lamar Jackson at the helm. 

However, in what’s regarded as the strongest draft class in years, where would the Ravens franchise face rank in this year’s Draft Class?

Nov 11, 2017; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) / Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Back in 2018, Jackson nearly fell to the second round before Baltimore traded up to take him at pick No. 32. At that time, the league viewed his mobility very differently, with some discussion regarding whether or not he should convert to wide receiver.

This year, USC quarterback Caleb Williams is a lock to be selected No. 1 overall and is considered the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck came out of Stanford. As for the rest of the prospects, it seems fair to put Jackson among fellow Heisman winner Jayden Daniels on draft boards. 

Lamar Jackson 2017: 6-3, 211 pounds, 21 years old. No. 32 overall draft pick. Starting in the ACC with Louisville for 13 games 

Passing- 3,660 yards, 59.1 completion percentage, 27 touchdowns, 10 interceptions.

Rushing- 1,601 yards, 6.9 yards per carry, eight touchdowns, three fumbles.

Jayden Daniels 2023: 6-4, 210 pounds, 23 years old. Starting in the SEC with LSU for 12 games.

Passing- 3,812 yards, 72.2 completion percentage, 40 touchdowns, four interceptions.

Rushing- 1,134 yards, 8.4 yards per carry, 10 touchdowns, two fumbles.

When looking at college numbers from Jackson and Daniels, it’s hard to rank Baltimore’s current leading man ahead of him in the dual-threat rankings. As for the other two quarterbacks in the current top-ten discussion, let’s look at Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy and UNC’s Drake Maye. 

J.J. McCarthy, 21 years old, 6-2.5: In 2023 started in the Big Ten for 15 games 

Passing - 2,991 yards, 72.3 completion percentage, 22 touchdowns, four interceptions.

Rushing - 202 yards, 3.2 yards per carry, three touchdowns.

Drake Maye, 21 years old, 6-4, weighs 223 pounds: In 2023 started in the ACC for 12 games.

Passing - 3,608 yards, 63.3 completion percentage, 24 touchdowns, nine interceptions.

Rushing - 449 yards, 4.0 yards per carry, nine touchdowns. 

Based on the numbers, Jackson and Maye would have been competing for the third spot among quarterbacks, but it would depend on the team’s scheme. 

Luckily for Daniels, he benefits from the current draft because Jackson and his two MVPs have opened the minds of general managers to the idea that a wiry quarterback with elite rushing abilities can develop into a premier passer in the NFL. 

However, for the purpose of this argument, as a prospect, it would appear that one of the league's most elite players would still be overlooked if he were to this year’s draft based on an inefficient completion percentage. This goes to show just how important work ethic is in addition to being an elite athlete.