Analyst Slams Lamar Jackson’s Ranking in NFL QB Survey: ‘Jealousy’

Lamar Jackson is a consensus top-four quarterback in the NFL, depending on how each of the other three are playing around him.

So well-thought-of NFL data analyst Warren Sharp took issue with some voters who had the Baltimore Ravens QB as low as sixth in the ESPN list of NFL quarterbacks, which was unveiled Monday.

Jackson was ranked fourth on the annual list compiled by ESPN as judged by NFL executives, coaches and scouts. Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs was first, and reigning MVP Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals were ranked Nos. 2 and 3 ahead of him.

“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.com. “He’s one of a kind.”

What Did Warren Sharp Say About Lamar Jackson’s Rating?

Though there was almost universal praise for Jackson on the ESPN-compiled list, the Ravens QB still brings out naysayers.

At least one voter had Jackson as low as No. 6 on the ranking, which caused Sharp to react.

“Now we have some NFL owners or GMs saying he isn’t a top-five quarterback in the NFL,” Sharp shared in a video on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, “It’s nothing but jealousy and hate at this point.”

To Sharp’s point, Jackson was the NFL MVP runner-up behind Allen after a scintillating season where he again led all quarterbacks in rushing yards (915), while finishing sixth in passing yards (4,172) and tied for second in touchdown passes (41) while throwing just four interceptions.

“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 only 41 passing touchdowns to only four interceptions. … In doing so, he became the only quarterback in NFL history to throw for 40-plus passing touchdowns with less than five interceptions in a single season.”

Sharp pointed out that article-writer Jeremy Fowler, who has been compiling the off-season list of each position for ESPN.com since 2020, quoted an unidentified talent evaluator suggesting the league would figure out Jackson before the 2021 season.

Yet, since Jackson has participated in three Pro Bowls and earned two All-Pro honors, while winning the 2023 NFL MVP and being names 2024 MVP by Pro Football Writers Association.

“Four years ago these same people were happily predicting that Lamar would get figured out,” Sharp said. “He spent the last four years statistically destroying the NFL while doing what not one quarterback in the history of the NFL has done passing the football

“Keep in mind, none of these stats — none of them — have anything to do with rushing, and he’s an absolute legend on the ground with his rushing talent.”

What Did Other Pundits Say About Lamar Jackson’s Ranking?

Sharp wasn’t the only smart football mind to take issue with voters leaving Jackson out of the top-5. Mina Kimes, of ESPN, also was on X lamenting Jackson’s No. 6 vote.

“There’s a clear and obvious Big Four in the NFL right now and I think you can defend putting the three outside of Mahomes (Allen, Jackson, Burrow) in any order,” Kimes tweeted. “Dropping any of them outside 4—someone had Lamar at 6!—is silly, though.”

Kimes’ ESPN colleague Dan Orlovsky expressed his belief that Jackson would be the next QB of Mahomes, Allen, Jackson and Burrow, to win the Super Bowl.

“They have to go win it. This is the third year in a row that we’ve said that’s the best team,” Orlovsky said on “NFL Live.” “This is the best roster in the NFL outside of Philadelphia.”

Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Analyst Slams Lamar Jackson’s Ranking in NFL QB Survey: ‘Jealousy’ appeared first on Heavy Sports.

(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *