Lamar Jackson has already expressed frustration over chatter that he should convert to wide receiver in the NFL, so the former Louisville star will likely appreciate what one team’s general manager had to say about him on Friday.
While speaking with reporters at the Scouting Combine, Baltimore Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome says he and his scouting people see no reason to view Jackson as anything other than a quarterback.
“I don’t know what the other teams think about him,” Newsome said, via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. “But, on our board, he’s a quarterback.”
Jackson also received support from Ravens safety Tony Jefferson, who said he doesn’t understand why NFL teams want the former Heisman Trophy winner to work out as a receiver.
For what reason are teams asking Lamar Jackson to try out at WR ?? I don’t get it
— Tony Jefferson (@_tonyjefferson) March 2, 2018
The Ravens are expected to select a quarterback at some point to play behind Joe Flacco, so it’s possible they could end up with Jackson. Newsome said Baltimore is not thinking about replacing Flacco anytime soon but will not hesitate to draft a QB if that is the best player on their board at a certain time.
Several teams have reportedly asked Jackson to work out at both quarterback and wide receiver at the combine. Jackson did not catch a pass in college, but he’s a tremendous athlete who rushed for 4,132 yards and scored 50 rushing touchdowns in 38 games. Still, he has already made it quite clear that he feels he should not have to consider switching positions to play in the pros.
