Lamar Jackson Isn't Ranked a Top Three Quarterback in New League Poll
Coming off a historically good season, Lamar Jackson isn't even ranked as a top-three quarterback in his own conference in the eyes of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts.
In this year’s ESPN poll, Jackson came in behind Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes (No. 1), Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen (No. 2), and Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow (No. 3).
Jackson was ranked as high as No. 1 in the poll and as low as No. 6. He was also No. 4 in last year's poll.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler pointed to Jackson's abilities and statistics when discussing the ranking.
"Jackson is the most breathtaking player in the game," Fowler wrote. "He might be the most feared, too, depending on whom you ask. And he was close to winning a third MVP last season, in fact beating out the actual MVP Allen for first-team All-Pro status in an unusual split of those honors. … What Jackson did last year still puts him in his own class — he became the first player in NFL history with 40 passing touchdowns and four or fewer interceptions in a season."
Commentary from the NFL respondents gave Jackson high praise for last season.
"A 10-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio [10.3], winning percentage is insane [74.4%] and he's a leading rusher on any team he's on," a veteran NFL coach told ESPN. "He's one of a kind."
"Best space runner in the NFL, and he's such a good passer now," an NFL defensive coordinator said. "He probably doesn't get enough credit for how he's improved there."
"I think he had to grow up as a passer," a veteran NFL personnel man added. "He was always more athletic than everyone else, so why not run? But he had to stay in the pocket a little bit more to prolong his career, and he's doing that increasingly well."
Fowler went on to mention how outstanding Jackson's 2024 season was.
"Jackson also led the NFL in Total QBR (77.3) and yards per dropback (8.3) and set new career highs in passing touchdowns (41), passing yards (4,172), yards per attempt (8.8) and touchdown-to-interception ratio," Fowler wrote. "His Total EPA was 160.6, more than 16 points higher than any other quarterback."
When the rankings were released, ESPN's Benjamin Solak was stunned by Jackson's placement, saying, "Lamar is closer to being above Mahomes than he is to being below Burrow."
Top 10 Tackles Rankings Don't Mention Ronnie Stanley or Roger Rosengarten
Solak isn't the only one who shared discourse over a Raven in ESPN's top 10 lists. ESPN released the offensive tackle rankings Sunday, and neither 2024 Pro Bowl tackle Ronnie Stanley or Roger Rosengarten made the top 10 list, though Stanley made the "honorable mention" section.
"I thought [Stanley] played better last year than the year before," an NFL personnel evaluator told ESPN. "[He] was more consistent."
Ravens Wire’s Geoffrey A. Knox disagreed with the rankings.
"Stanley was a Pro Bowler last season," Knox wrote. "How is he not among the top ten players ranked? Where is Roger Rosengarten? Do we place him among the snubs as well? He didn't receive any votes according to the ranking."
Knox pointed toward the Ravens' offensive success as a reason for both Stanley and Rosengarten to be among the top 10.
"Last season, the Baltimore Ravens led the NFL in rushing," Knox wrote. "Jackson finished 85 yards short of eclipsing 1,000 yards on the ground. Derrick Henry came just 79 yards shy of passing 2,000 yards rushing for the second time during his career. Jackson also threw for 4,172 yards and 41 TDs vs. only four interceptions while crafting a league-leading passer rating (119.6) and QBR (77.3)."
ESPN did name Stanley as a player who could return to the top 10 list next season.
"Stanley appeared in all 19 games (17 in regular season, 2 in playoffs) and reached his second career Pro Bowl as a member of the AFC North-leading Ravens, but he fell off in favor of new entry Dion Dawkins of the Bills (No. 8). A second straight healthy year -- Stanley played in every game for the first time in his nine-year career, could get the 31-year-old Stanley back on the list."
Tyler Linderbaum Tabbed as a Top 10 Interior Lineman
While Stanley and Rosengarten didn't make their top 10 position list, center Tyler Linderbaum was named No. 10 among all interior offensive linemen.
"[Linderbaum] can do anything you want in the run game," a veteran NFL defensive coach told ESPN. "Maybe the best center in the NFL in terms of that. A bit limited in pass pro, but you felt him in the run game -- strong and physical."
Fowler quickly pointed to Linderbaum's near-perfect pass-block win rate in disagreement with some respondents.
"It's hard to argue with Linderbaum's 96.5 pass block win rate, though some evaluators say his shorter arms (31⅛ inches) show up in one-on-one settings," Fowler wrote.
One of Linderbaum's greatest traits is his mental acuity and how he works in tandem with Jackson, directing the offense pre-snap.
"Initial quickness, angles, every intangible, takes mental pressure off [Lamar Jackson]," a senior NFL scout said.
Healthy Malik Hamm Looking to Go 'Balls to the Wall' in Training Camp
Outside linebacker Malik Hamm is joining the Baltimore-founded nonprofit, "Show Your Soft Side," for the nonprofit's "Softie Homecoming" event on July 17 at the Marriott Owings Mills Metro Centre. Those who participate are nicknamed "Softies," which Hamm doesn't mind as long he's off the field. When he returns for training camp, though, he's looking to be anything but soft, he told Glenn Clark Radio earlier this month.
"As long as you get in between the lines and you ain't a softie no more, that's all that really matters," Hamm said.
Along with his discussion about "Show Your Soft Side," Hamm gave updates on his return from a torn ACL suffered last July.
On how he's feeling:
"I'm feeling good. I'm ready for training camp, for sure."
On how he's stayed positive and in the right mindset:
"To be honest, I've just been leaning on my teammates and just thinking positively. I feel like that's the biggest thing, don't let the negative thoughts [enter] your head. Just keep focusing on the positive things that's happening, and eventually, you're going to look up and you're going to be right where you want to be at."
On how he'll be approaching coming back to play:
"Once you get on the field, you've got to go balls to the wall. That's just how we operate with the Ravens. But you definitely do have to take your time in terms of just knowing that you can't be impatient in the opportunity that you've got. You've just got to let it come to you. And when it does come, that's when you got to go balls to the wall."
On the mentality of competition with his teammates for a roster spot:
"I just take the mindset of you want to be the best player that you can be. And you've got to believe that your best is good enough to make it out there on Sunday. That's the mindset that I've taken my whole life."
