Pundit Says Lamar Jackson's Ranking by NFL Insiders Is 'Nothing But Jealousy and Hate'
Sharp Football Analysis' Warren Sharp did not mince words when calling out NFL insiders who disrespected Lamar Jackson in ESPN's quarterback rankings.
As noted in Monday’s Late for Work, Jackson was ranked No. 4 in the survey of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, and at least one voter had him as low as No. 6. Jackson came in behind the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes (No. 1), Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen (No. 2), and Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow (No. 3).
Sharp said anyone inside the NFL who doesn't think Jackson is a top five quarterback is "either completely insane or pathetically hating."
Sharp noted that ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported in August 2021 that "a lot of people around the league say this might be the year that everybody figures out Lamar." Sharp said, "It's nothing but jealousy and hate at this point" as to why some insiders still refuse to give Jackson his due despite all he has accomplished since then.
"Statistically, last year Lamar Jackson ranked as the No. 1 most efficient quarterback in the NFL, both by EPA and yards per attempt," Sharp said. "He threw 41 passing touchdowns to only four interceptions. In doing so, he became the only quarterback in NFL history to throw for 40-plus touchdowns with less than five interceptions in a season. Keep in mind none of these stats have anything to do with rushing, and he's an absolute legend on the ground with his rushing talent.
"Four years ago, these same people were happily predicting that Lamar would get figured out, and he spent the last four years statistically destroying the NFL while doing what not one quarterback in the entire history of the NFL has ever done passing the football."
Dan Orlovsky Predicts Jackson Will Be Next to Win Super Bowl Among Elite Four Quarterbacks
The opinion of some insiders notwithstanding, the consensus is that there are four elite quarterbacks in the NFL: Jackson, Mahomes, Allen, and Burrow.
ESPN’s “NFL Live” crew predicted which of them will next win a Super Bowl. Two of the three analysts chose Jackson, including former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky.
"It has to be Lamar. It just is," Orlovsky said. "Lamar knows it. That organization knows it. They have to go win it. This is the third year in a row that we've said that's the best team. Two years ago, they had the No. 1 defense in football and fell short. Last year, they had the No. 1 offense in football and fell short. This is the best roster in the NFL outside of Philadelphia.
"Its offensive line is going to be top three. Lamar is coming off arguably his best season in the NFL. Their perimeter players are fantastic. One of the things that was part of the storyline last year that wasn't talked about enough is Zay Flowers being out of [the playoff loss to the Bills] was absolutely massive."
Orlovsky's colleague, Kevin Clark, also predicted Jackson to be the next to win a Super Bowl, while Damien Woody went with Mahomes, who is seeking his fourth ring.
Roquan Smith Ranked No. 2 Off-Ball Linebacker in ESPN Survey
Roquan Smith's status as one of the best off-ball linebackers was reflected by his placement in ESPN’s survey of insiders.
Smith was ranked No. 2 in the league, behind only the San Francisco 49ers' Fred Warner. Smith was ranked as high as No. 1 and as low as No. 10. The 28-year-old All-Pro was also ranked No. 2 in last year's survey.
"To fully appreciate Smith is to look past the numbers," Fowler wrote. "He's not the classic stat-stuffer, with modest production in the passing game (four deflections, one interception) and splash plays (one forced fumble, 1.5 sacks). Four of his 81 solo tackles were for a loss. But he's the type of player whom opponents – and even fans inside the stadium or through the TV – perceive as a true tone-setter, with blitz ability, leverage and mental edge.
"Smith is coming off his second consecutive first-team All-Pro season, and his run-stop percentage of 5.6 (tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage on designed runs) was second among all linebackers and the best among the top 10."
An AFC executive said: "Roquan isn't necessarily the most physically talented, but he's very productive in both phases, is the catalyst for their defense in the middle of the field and a guy you have to account for in phases. When you factor all that plus the elite leadership he brings and attitude for their team, I think he deserves to be up there."
Odafe Oweh, Nate Wiggins Named Breakout Candidates
Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh has improved every year since being drafted in the first round in 2021, and his continued development is one of the keys for the Ravens in 2025, Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano said.
In Manzano's season preview of the Ravens, he named Oweh as Baltimore's breakout player candidate/X factor.
"The Ravens could use another productive pass rusher — if Oweh doesn't build on his impressive 2024 season," Manzano wrote. "After a slow start to his career, Oweh is on the verge of putting it together after recording 10 sacks last season, only 2.5 less than Kyle Van Noy for most on the team."
Manzano noted that it's a contract year for Oweh, who added 20 pounds of muscle this offseason and, at 26 years old, is just entering his prime.
The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec also named a breakout candidate, and he went with second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins.
"The more the 2024 first-round pick played his rookie season, the better he looked," Zrebiec wrote. "Quarterbacks had just a 66.7 quarterback rating when targeting Wiggins, who allowed only 31 receptions on 62 targets while playing 68 percent of Baltimore's defensive snaps. Wiggins' rookie season would have been even more impressive had he caught a few more of the passes that he got his hands on. He put on about 10 pounds of muscle this offseason, and he has a far better understanding of Baltimore's defensive plan. The Ravens believe he has star potential."
