Former Heisman Trophy-winning QB Lamar Jackson reportedly asked to work out as receiver at combine
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Apparently not everyone is sold on the idea of Lamar Jackson as an NFL quarterback.
After leaving school early following two consecutive Heisman finalist seasons, not to mention throwing for 9,043 yards and 69 touchdowns in three seasons, NFL clubs are still curious to see how Louisville’s former quarterback would transition to another position at the game’s highest level.
According to Peter Schrager of the NFL’s Good Morning Football, “multiple teams” have requested Jackson work out as not only a quarterback but as a receiver.
His 4,132 rushing yards and 50 collegiate scores on the ground may have something to do with that, but the idea of taking the ball out of the hands of such a dynamic playmaker seems to be a strange one, especially when you consider the evolution of some NFL offenses to more college-based spread systems.
Former NFL GM and current ESPN analyst Bill Polian suggested he would move Jackson to another position last week which was met with a litany of articles calling him out. It appears he may know exactly what he was talking about when it comes to how some teams would evaluate Jackson.
It’s understandable why Jackson may not want to do this, after all, he appears to be a top draftable QB in the upcoming draft and will be given an opportunity by at least one franchise to play QB, but you can’t rule out the request being a test to see how Jackson responds. He could show a team just how bad he wants to be in the NFL by showing off his total skillset on the practice field.
After all, we did just see the Super Bowl featuring a touchdown reception from Philadephia QB Nick Foles. Having the ability to use the QB in a trick play could only add to Jackson’s value for a team trying to determine whether to select him or another NFL-hopeful signal caller in the draft.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
