Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has established himself as one of the best players in the NFL and he’s now a two-time NFL MVP. Jackson has exceeded all expectations since the Ravens drafted him out of Louisville University. But when was he selected?
When Did Baltimore Draft Lamar Jackson?
The Ravens selected Jackson with the No. 32 overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Jackson was the fifth quarterback selected, as he was picked after Baker Mayfield (No. 1), Sam Darnold (No. 3), Josh Allen (No. 7), and Josh Rosen (No. 10). Allen has since emerged as a superstar in his own right with the Buffalo Bills, while Mayfield and Darnold have come into their own after changes of scenery (with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings, respectively). Rosen is currently out of the NFL.
As a rookie, Jackson’s stats were far from spectacular, as he completed 58.2% of his passes for 1,201 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions while rushing for 695 yards and five scores, all in 16 appearances with just seven starts.
Jackson took over as the Ravens’ full-time starter in 2019, and quickly made his presence felt. He completed 66.1% of his pass attempts for 3,127 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just six interceptions while also running 176 times for 1,206 yards and seven more scores, propelling Baltimore to a 13-2 record in 15 starts on his way to winning MVP.
He built on that success with another strong season in 2020, leading the Ravens to an 11-4 record across 15 starts. Jackson threw for 2,757 yards and 26 TDs with just nine INTs, alongside rushing for 1,005 yards and seven scores.
Some rough showings came each of the next two seasons, however.
Jackson made 12 appearances in 2021, throwing for just 2,882 yards with 16 TDs and 13 INTs while rushing for just 767 yards and two scores. He followed that up with another 12-game campaign in 2022, throwing for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, along with 764 rushing yards for three scores.
MORE: Where Did Josh Allen Go To College? Revisiting His Journey to the NFL
In 2023, Jackson delivered another MVP season, totaling 3,678 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions on a 67.2% completion percentage while adding 821 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Even though veteran tight end Mark Andrews was limited to 10 games due to injuries, Jackson connected with talented young playmakers like wide receiver Zay Flowers and tight end Isaiah Likely.
Baltimore boasted a historically good defense, which helped as well. The Ravens ranked first in the league at defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA) at 45.5%, with the San Francisco 49ers the only team coming close to matching them throughout the regular season at 39.4%.
Now, in 2024, Jackson has picked up right where he left off. The team signed veteran running back Derrick Henry to take some of the rushing responsibilities off his plate, and the two form a terrific one-two punch.
With incredible stats and terrific accolades throughout his career, Jackson is determined to win his first Super Bowl ring.