Lamar Jackson Named a 'Tier 2 QB' by NFL Coaches and Executives
Lamar Jackson has won 75% of games he's started since entering the NFL in 2018, won two league MVPs (earning 99/100 first-place votes in those years) and shattered numerous NFL records.
But in the eyes of NFL coaches, coordinators, general managers, and more, he's ranked the fourth best quarterback and, for a fifth consecutive year, labeled a "Tier 2 QB."
"He's a fantastic dual-threat guy, he's explosive, he's dangerous," an offensive coach said of Lamar Jackson via The Athletic's Mike Sando. "This past year, with [new Ravens offensive coordinator Todd] Monken, I thought he took a big step and became a passer. To me, it was so different from the previous years."
Not all agreed with the Tier 2 label, as Jackson earned more top-tier votes (23) than he has over the three previous years combined (20). His tier average came in at 1.6, a tenth of a point from breaking into Tier 1.
"I just think putting an MVP of this league in Tier 2 is being on some quarterback high horse of what we think it's supposed to look like," said a voter who placed Jackson in Tier 1.
The three quarterbacks above Jackson were Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes (50 Tier 1 votes), Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow (43), and Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen (39).
The common critique was Jackson's passing and playoff record.
"He's a 1 with limitations for me," a defensive coordinator said. "You can win a lot of games with him. When you watched it against Kansas City, he can't pass when he has to. That is still true. But he is still a wonderful football player."
Ultimately, Jackson is lining up against players – not coaches, coordinators, or GMs. They ranked Jackson as the second-best player in the league regardless of position entering the season. The Packers' Kenny Clark, who faced Jackson for one day of joint practices, is glad he doesn't have to see him in the regular season.
Pundits Project Final Roster Spots
By Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, all NFL clubs must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players. Most of the Ravens' roster is known, but the final spots were hotly contested in training camp and the preseason.
Three pundits, The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec, The Baltimore Banner's Jonas Shaffer, and ESPN’s Jamison Hensley gave their predictions on who makes the initial roster.
Here's what they think about three players on the roster bubble:
S Beau Brade
Zrebiec: In
"The Ravens really like Worley's physicality on special teams, but he's a vested vet and they can play the practice squad game with him like they did last year. [Sanoussi] Kane and Brade have also flashed at different points this summer, and Baltimore would like to keep both around."
Shaffer: In
"Brade flashed as a defender in the preseason, leading the team in tackles each of the past two games, but he could edge seventh-round pick and fellow safety Sanoussi Kane for a roster spot with his special teams ability. The former Maryland standout finished second on the Ravens in snaps there this preseason (39), behind only undrafted rookie inside linebacker Yvandy Rigby (41), according to TruMedia, and had a forced fumble."
Hensley: Out
CB Pepe Williams
Zrebiec: Out
"Williams struggled in the preseason finale. Being on the field late in the fourth quarter probably isn't a good sign for his roster chances."
Shaffer: Out
"Williams didn't make a compelling case for a roster spot Saturday, giving up a touchdown in coverage, missing tackles in the open field and struggling in the box as a run defender. But he's a versatile piece, capable of lining up in the slot, out wide and at safety. He also saw regular action on special teams as a rookie in 2022, even if he's not a workhorse there."
Hensley: In
"The Ravens keep a sixth corner because of their history of injuries at this position."
RB Rasheen Ali
Zrebiec: In
"[Owen Wright's] injury complicates things with the No. 3 running back situation and seemingly puts Ali, the rookie fifth-round pick, back into the picture."
Shaffer: In
"The problem for the Ravens is that Ali got just 22, all coming in their preseason opener. The fifth-round pick missed their final two games after suffering what the team called a stinger against the Philadelphia Eagles. With Owen Wright suffering a broken foot Saturday and Mitchell's return timetable unclear, DeCosta could sign a more proven veteran as the team's RB3."
Hensley: In
"Ali, a rookie fifth-round pick, should have the edge for the No. 3 running back spot but he hasn't had extensive work in the preseason since Week 1."
Ravens Offensive Line Gives Mixed Reviews in Preseason Finale
For a third consecutive preseason game, the Ravens started three of their expected five offensive linemen in left guard Andrew Vorhees, right guard Daniel Faalele, and right tackle Roger Rosengarten. According to The Baltimore Sun’s Childs Walker, the performance gave positives to build upon and other things to work on, with some of the benefits coming from Jackson and Derrick Henry being on the field.
"The unit's pass blocking generally held up better than its run blocking, as the Ravens ran for just 39 yards on 12 carries in the first half," Walker wrote. "Those numbers will look better in the regular season with Jackson and Henry operating in place of Johnson and Wright, but these young offensive linemen will also be held to a higher standard when the games count."
Pressbox’s Bo Smolka added the Ravens will have their two returning offensive linemen to boost their play, too.
"The starting offensive line didn't get a lot of push against the Packers. With those first-unit players on the field, the Ravens did not register a first down in the first quarter and netted 10 yards on their first six rushes," Smolka wrote. "Granted, the Ravens will have All-Pro Ronnie Stanley at left tackle, and he is rested and ready after sitting out all three preseason games. They also expect to have Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum back; he's missed most of August with a soft-tissue injury, but Harbaugh said Linderbaum is 'on schedule,' and the team had been pointing him toward Week 1."
