Discussion thread: Lamar Jackson trails Allen, Burrow in ESPN survey

ESPN has been rolling out their annual survey of NFL personnel and finally, the quarterback rankings are in. Lamar Jackson has landed at fifth – a fair position, or more disrespect for a two-time MVP?

Jackson was ranked fourth last year, so a one-spot drop after an injury-riddled season with fewer than 200 passing yards per game is not exactly a surprise. But placing him behind Joe Burrow is among the many questionable choices on this list. Statistically speaking, there is not much to put Burrow higher, nor is there in terms of recognition (zero All-Pros or MVPs to Jackson’s three and two, respectively).

Most perplexing is a comparison based on durability based on a rather cherrypicked and misleading statistic: “missing at least four games in three of the past five seasons.” But Jackson’s sole absence in 2023 was sitting in Week 18 having secured the No. 1 seed. He has missed just four games due to injury in the last three year’s compared to Burrow’s 18. What’s more, Jackson takes far more hits due to his play-style and arguments that the Bengals field a much worse offensive line have eroded in the last two years. Who’s really more durable?

A few other notes:

• Sources in the article praise Jackson’s development as his passer and reference a downtick in his rushing as he ages. That has been a natural evolution for Jackson, but expect a bounce-back on the ground this year with better health and more consistent offensive line play.
• Ravens fans will not be happy with Josh Allen topping the list. As with Burrow, there is little statistical evidence that he is definitively better than Jackson, especially by three spots.
• Amazingly, Jackson’s lowest ranking was outside the top 10. Maybe that was the same person that put Mahomes at nine and Jared Goff at five?

Now, it’s your turn! What do you think of Lamar Jackson being ranked fifth in ESPN’s annual NFL survey? Should he be higher, lower, or is he in the perfect spot? Let us know in the comments below!