ESPN Proposes Lamar Jackson Trade to Texans For No. 2 Pick
The Baltimore Ravens have improved their team drastically heading into Thursday's NFL Draft. Except for one position, and that position is kind of important. The Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson still have yet to kiss and make up in the form of either a long-term contract or the signing of Jackson's non-exclusive franchise tag.
As the draft approaches, Baltimore is a bit handcuffed not knowing the status of their signal-caller. And speculation runs rampant that a trade could still be in the works.
One such theory has ESPN'S Bill Barnwell offering his scenario, which, all things considered, doesn't seem half bad.
The suggested trade package would feature Houston receiving the 2019 NFL MVP Jackson along with the Ravens' No. 22 overall pick in exchange for the No. 2 pick, plus No. 73, plus a 2024 fourth-round conditional selection.
via ESPN
So - and not to ignore the fact that third-day picks have a certain value, but - Houston swaps 2 for 22 and gets Lamar? Contract issues aside ... Where do we sign up?
The Ravens have already tagged Jackson which locks him down for a guaranteed $32 million for 2023, but he hasn't signed that yet as he seeks a contract more similar to the one the Browns gave ex-Texans QB Deshaun Watson.
They also put the tag on him knowing that if another team got him to sign an offer sheet, Baltimore could let him go while receiving two first-round picks. The Ravens did that knowing full well that either a) no team was going to do that and/or b) they would simply match whatever new deal Jackson had agreed to elsewhere.
In the real world, would a massive contract for Lamar in Houston be a problem? We say no. Just as Watson was worth one here before, Jackson - who is just 26 and is about as much of a "franchise quarterback'' as anyone in the NFL this side of Patrick Mahomes - would be a marvelous solution. ... and the Houston build would be greatly accelerated.
Alas, in the real world, Baltimore isn't giving up Lamar Jackson for what amounts to a swap of first-round picks, leaving Houston, presently owning picks Nos. 2 and 12, to attempt to find their next "franchise QB'' in a more conventional and less fantastical way.
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