Interest for Lamar Jackson is there, but should Washington pull the trigger?

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March 9, 2018

by Jamual Forrest

The Redskins are indeed reportedly in on former Heisman winning quarterback Lamar Jackson as a potential draftee. Jackson participated in the NFL combine this past weekend, competing in just quarterback drills, declining to partake the athletic portion of the evaluation of prospects. The decision to only do quarterback drills is an initial sign that Jackson is committed to the position of quarterback. The truth is that Jackson is an all-purpose weapon, whether he wants to acknowledge it or not, and that peaks interest in an abundance of teams who are clamoring to take him as quick as possible.

Should the Redskins take the Louisville quarterback this year? Alternatively, should Washington just admire Jackson from a distance?

The Redskins are set at the quarterback position for the immediate future following the trade for Alex Smith, which lessens the sense of need at the position for the meantime. However, Jackson is a quarterback who is apparently not polished yet and will need time to develop at the pro-level.

Can Jay Gruden, or better yet, does Jay Gruden have the ability to develop a younger quarterback? Or is this offensive system one that only allows a particular type of quarterback to flourish in it? During his time in Washington, Gruden had an opportunity to develop a quarterback and adjust his scheme to the style of his quarterback. It was not successful. Drafting Lamar Jackson will provide similar challenges, not in the sense of being a read-option style quarterback, but helping the young quarterback out to adjust to the pro game by simplifying the offense until Jackson can make the next step as a pro.

Another question for Washington if they do draft Jackson is whether the team will just let him sit on the bench because Alex Smith is playing, or whether they would try to get him on the field in certain situations? Secondly, will Jackson be okay with being a team’s offensive weapon and not strictly a quarterback? A two-quarterback system is nothing but headaches for an offensive play-caller, but it is not like Gruden has not done this before. In Cincinnati, Gruden took advantage of Mohamed Sanu’s ability to throw the football, using him as a passer on many different occasions, which is something that Sanu still does to this day as an Atlanta Falcon. So it is possible for Gruden, but he must be willing.

Lastly, what will be the leash given to Alex Smith if Jackson is drafted to Washington? If reports that the front office, mainly one of Daniel Snyder and Bruce Allen, is interested, how impatient does that front office get before pulling the plug on the 33-year old quarterback? It was evident that Robert Griffin III was their selection at quarterback for the most part, so based on previous experiences, those two men will do what it takes to maximize their investment at the position. Not only for the sake of getting him on the field but for profitability purposes too.

So what exactly should the Redskins do with Lamar Jackson if he is available to them their first couple of selections in the 2018 draft? Pass. Just enjoy the kid from a distance, if the Redskins were in need of a quarterback this year, this situation might indeed be very different.

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