NFL Preseason 2018: Winners and losers from Week 1

Loser: Lamar Jackson Hype

Upon the selection of Lamar Jackson with the 32nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft — after trading back into the first round, no less — the Baltimore Ravens undoubtedly started the hype train. There were immediate murmurs from everywhere about when Jackson would take the reins of the offense from the never-elite Joe Flacco and of similar narratives. After all, the arrival of the electric 2016 Heisman Trophy winner seemed to signify that.

There’s no question that Jackson, through the Hall of Fame Game and Week 1 of the 2018 NFL preseason, has shown flashes of what makes him so unique and special of a talent. His touchdown run in the Week 1 win over the Rams was beautiful. And there were throws in both contests where he showcased his arm strength and the ability to make NFL-caliber throws.

However, when people were talking about Jackson as a prospect, there was always the caveat that he would need polishing. After all, he was a player that struggled with his accuracy throughout his collegiate career with Louisville and would need to reel that in to fully succeed as a pro. In the midst of the hype around him coming to the Ravens though, it seemed that some forgot that. After two games of preseason action though, we’ve all been reminded as he went 7-of-18 in Week 1 of the preseason after going 4-of-10 in the Hall of Fame Game.

This isn’t to say that Jackson will never be anything. Again, he showed flashes of why he can be great in this league. What’s more, he’s still a mere 21 years old with plenty of time to develop, mature and simply become a better quarterback. But what has been made clear is that Flacco is still clearly the QB1 in Baltimore and, at this stage of his young career, Jackson is unlikely to usurp him.