Ravens already trying rookie QB Lamar Jackson at slot receiver

Jake Lourim | Courier Journal

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OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Lamar Jackson is clearly still the Baltimore Ravens’ backup quarterback, which may be disappointing to some.

But early in their training camp, the Ravens are finding ways to involve their first-round rookie in the offense elsewhere, and that could be exciting for many.

In the Ravens’ third full team practice of the season Sunday, Jackson did the full workout behind starter Joe Flacco but also lined up as a slot receiver at least twice.

From the slot, Jackson motioned to the right before the snap, took a handoff or pitch from Flacco, cut back to the left and threw downfield. He completed passes both times.

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Both plays elicited the loudest cheers of the day from fans in attendance.

“I love the Baltimore fans,” Jackson said after practice. “You can just catch an out route … and they’re cheering for you like you’re in a game.”

In limited live reps at quarterback, Jackson also ran a read-option type play, kept the ball and broke free to race upfield. He cruised past the defense, though the Ravens gave strict instructions not to lay a finger on any of the quarterbacks.

Jackson, however, at times looked inconsistent with his arm. At one point, he rolled outside the pocket, eluding a pass rush from former University of Kentucky player Za’Darius Smith, but sailed the pass over the receiver’s head into traffic.

“Everybody in this league has some uncommon tools, and he certainly does,” offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said Sunday of Jackson. “As far as his accuracy and all of that, he’s really, really worked on that. … He’s way ahead of the curve now. This guy’s a hard, hard worker. Tough-minded guy.”

The Ravens’ use of Jackson so far fits the profile of the player they drafted. Baltimore likely did not draft Jackson to be their 2018 starting quarterback. Barring an unforeseen turn or injury for Flacco, Jackson is likely to remain at No. 2

Nonetheless, Baltimore seemed committed in practice Sunday to deploying Jackson, perhaps adding another dimension to an offense that finished last season 27th in the NFL in total yards and 31st in yards per play.

Wide receiver Tim White said his first impression of Jackson was “electric."

"Electrifying, very," White said. "He definitely has some ways to go, but he’s improving. He’s getting a lot better.”

Before the draft, Jackson repeatedly rebuffed questions about trying a different position. “I’m a quarterback,” he always said, and the Ravens have largely treated him as such. Even when they lined him up elsewhere Sunday, he almost always threw the ball.

“Right now, when we do it," Flacco told reporters at a Friday news conference, "I think it’s like a big red flag to the defense, like, ‘Hey, they’re probably doing something.’ But Lamar is a heck of an athlete, and he can throw the football, so the opportunities are definitely endless.”

Jackson on Sunday sounded more amenable to new looks, not because they put him in possession of the ball more but because they could throw off the defense.

“I’m just going along with the flow right now,” Jackson said.

Jackson said he thinks he has improved in many ways since the draft, having attended rookie minicamp, completed the team’s offseason program and reported to camp with the other rookies a week early.

The Ravens’ coaches, specifically quarterbacks coach James Urban, have Jackson and the other quarterbacks throwing into a net on the side of the field to improve accuracy and timing.

“It feels good, just being out here with NFL talent, not college or high school anymore,” Jackson said. “You’re a grown man, and you’ve got to show up and show out and grind.”