Lamar Jackson reacts to getting shout-out from Tom Brady

Lamar Jackson remains somewhat of a wild card heading into the NFL Draft later this month, but it seems like the New England Patriots are doing all they can to boost the former Louisville star’s stock.

On Wednesday, NFL.com’s Bucky Books said he believes Patriots coach Bill Belichick wants to draft Jackson after seeing what Deshaun Watson was able to do in his rookie season with the Houston Texans.

You would think that Tom Brady would be offended if Belichick takes a quarterback as early in the draft as Jackson is expected to go (possibly the first round), but Brady apparently has a lot of respect for Jackson’s game. We know this because he commented on Instagram that Jackson is a “beast,” and Jackson seemed to appreciate the compliment.

Belichick almost never drafts players that analysts think he is going to select, which makes him taking Jackson seem unlikely. However, we have already heard reports about New England eyeing a QB in the first round, so perhaps the idea is not all that far-fetched. Either way, you can’t blame Jackson for loving the free publicity.