Los Angeles Chargers: 5 First-round targets in the 2018 NFL Draft
By Derek Snyder
1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
By any means possible, the Chargers must find a way to bring Lamar Jackson out to Los Angeles in 2018. You may not believe in his ability to play quarterback at the NFL level, but I believe Jackson possesses a few rare qualities that most teams and fans are overlooking. If you don’t believe me, just hear me out.
Everyone wants to talk about Jackson’s ability to run the football, which is valid, but everyone tends to look past his ever-improving arm strength and ability to find receivers when a play breaks down. We love to talk about Ben Roethlisberger making those kinds of plays, but when Jackson does it, no one seems to give him credit.
I challenge you to go and look at a few of Louisville’s game from 2016, and then compare those from their games in 2017. What you’ll see is a quarterback who played behind a terrible offensive line, taking his game to another level and making even bigger plays.
No, the Cardinals didn’t have a great season in 2017, but that wasn’t of Jackson’s doing. If it weren’t for him, that team might’ve missed bowl season all together.
Next: Grading every First Round pick from 2017
At the end of the day, 31 teams are going to be mad they didn’t take a chance on the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner. Let’s hope the Bolts are the one team who comes to their senses.