Dec 4, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up previous to the sport in opposition to the Denver Broncos at M&T Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports activities
- Lamar Jackson has requested a commerce from the Ravens and odds have been posted on his almost certainly touchdown spot if Baltimore offers him
- The Colts are the favorites to make a transfer for Jackson, adopted by the Falcons
- Try the chances for the place Jackson is more likely to play subsequent yr, if not for the Ravens
The largest story of the NFL offseason has been the place is Lamar Jackson going to play in 2023 and what sort of contract is he going to obtain. Baltimore answered a type of questions by signing him to the non-exclusive franchise tag, however on Monday the story took a shocking flip.
Jackson introduced on social media he requested a commerce from the Ravens on March 2nd. Baltimore has given no indications that they’ve been attempting to buy Lamar, however on-line sportsbooks didn’t waste anytime speculating on the place he would possibly land subsequent, if not again with the Ravens.
Lamar Jackson’s Subsequent Group Odds 2023
| Group | Odds |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | +250 |
| Atlanta Falcons | +300 |
| New England Patriots | +400 |
| Washington Commanders | +600 |
| Miami Dolphins | +850 |
| Detroit Lions | +900 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +1000 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +1500 |
| Tennessee Titans | +1600 |
| New York Jets | +2500 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +3500 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +4000 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +5000 |
| Inexperienced Bay Packers | +5000 |
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Colts are the favorites to commerce for Jackson at +250. That’s a giant shift from two and a half months in the past, when Indy boasted the sixth shortest odds to accumulate Lamar, whereas the Jets had been the clubhouse leaders.
Proper behind Indianapolis are the Atlanta Falcons, and a wedding with Arthur Smith looks like a really perfect match given the scheme he deploys and the success he had with Marcus Mariota a season in the past.
New England sports activities the following shortest odds, and there’s been loads of rumblings out of Patriots’ camp that the group isn’t in love with Mac Jones beneath middle.
Odds as of March 28 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
The Case for the Colts
Indianapolis’ favourite standing makes loads of sense. They’re in determined want of a QB, and have the draft capital to place collectively a good package deal for Jackson. The Colts personal the fourth total decide this season, and there’s a 99.9% probability the 2 stud QBs (CJ Stroud and Bryce Younger) will likely be off the board by then.
Proprietor Jim Irsay shouldn’t be afraid to make a splash, and this group desperately wants a brand new id after consecutive seasons with pocket sloths Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan operating the offense.
Breaking: Lamar Jackson introduced on social media that he requested a commerce from the Ravens on March 2. pic.twitter.com/rXBinhczJh
— ESPN (@espn) March 27, 2023
They will pair Lamar with Jonathan Taylor, one of many league’s premier operating backs, which might give them probably the most deadly operating recreation within the league. The Colts receiving corps, led by Michael Pittman Jr, is a significant improve from what Jackson has been coping with, and that will doubtless be sufficient to entice the 2019 MVP to affix Indy.
Don’t neglect, there have been loads of groups that mentioned they’d not be excited by signing Jackson to a suggestion sheet as soon as the non-exclusive tag was placed on him, however the Colts made no such claims.
A Excellent Match for the Falcons
A kind of groups who mentioned publicly they’d not signal Lamar was Atlanta, however that may not preclude them from buying and selling for him now that he’s probably obtainable.
Smith may actually drop Jackson immediately into the offense he ran final season, and the Falcons would immediately vault to the NFC South favorites and a Tremendous Bowl contender.
Atlanta has poured sources into their offensive line and ability place expertise (Drake London and Kyle Pitts), and NFL consultants have been drooling over the considered Jackson enjoying for the Falcons for months.
Lamar Jackson : “ give me actual weapons please *
* ravens signal 80 yr previous desean Jackson *
Lamar : pay me what I’m price
Ravens : that’s a no sorryRavens when lamar requests a commerce : pic.twitter.com/Ae7QJjuJ5R
— John (@iam_johnw) March 27, 2023
Like Indianapolis, Atlanta is ripe with draft capital, and would don’t have any drawback placing collectively an attractive package deal. The Falcons personal the quantity eight decide on this yr’s draft, plus 4 further picks within the first 4 rounds. They’ll additionally doubtless get the Jaguars second spherical decide subsequent yr if Calvin Ridley indicators an extension, affording them the luxurious of parting methods with their very own second spherical choice in 2024 as nicely.
The scheme and the expertise on this roster ought to make Jackson drool with pleasure. If he had his decide of the place he’d find yourself Atlanta must be on the high of the checklist. The truth that they play within the NFC versus the AFC, additionally makes them a extra fascinating commerce companion for Baltimore.
Opening 2023 NFL Win Totals – Chiefs, Bengals & 49ers All Given Highest Whole of 11.5
Don’t Sleep on the Lions
Talking of NFC commerce companions, don’t sleep on the Lions. Detroit is about as much as win now, with a bevy of offensive expertise. They will additionally provide the Ravens maybe the perfect package deal in return.
The Lions personal the sixth and 18th picks on this yr’s draft. The asking value for Jackson’s providers will doubtless be two first rounders (if Baltimore decides to maneuver him), and the Ravens may considerably improve their roster by buying a package deal that appeared like that.
Lamar Jackson 2022 Stats
| Go Yds | Go TD | Rush Yds | Rush TD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,242 | 17 | 764 | 3 |
There’s been no indication that Detroit is seeking to transfer away from Jared Goff, however they’d be loopy to not contemplate it. Jackson has already performed at an MVP degree, and is likely one of the top-six quarterbacks within the league.
The Lions would vault themselves into the NFC’s high championship contender by including Jackson, and alternatives like this don’t come alongside fairly often. If you wish to win a Tremendous Bowl you need to be keen to mortgage the longer term, identical to the Rams did in 2021. It’s time for Detroit to push all their chips into the center.
Picks: Atlanta Falcons (+300), Detroit Lions (+900)
Chris Amberley
As SBD’s resident Swiss Military Knife, Chris covers just about each sport together with NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A real grinder, he’d somewhat decide off small edges within the participant props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
