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5 NFL teams that should draft Lamar Jackson in 2018

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Nov 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to pass against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first quarter at Papa John
Nov 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to pass against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first quarter at Papa John /
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Oct 29, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (85), defensive end Michael Johnson (90), defensive tackle Domata Peko (94), defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96), quarterback Andy Dalton (14) and coach Marvin Lewis during the NFL International Series Fan Rally at the Victoria House. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (85), defensive end Michael Johnson (90), defensive tackle Domata Peko (94), defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96), quarterback Andy Dalton (14) and coach Marvin Lewis during the NFL International Series Fan Rally at the Victoria House. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Cincinnati Bengals

Every time the Cincinnati Bengals make the playoffs, they get eliminated in the first round. Before that, reaching the postseason seemed nearly impossible. All of this has been under head coach Marvin Lewis, who has yet to win a playoff game in his 14 seasons at the helm. This season probably isn’t going to result in a playoff appearance since the Bengals are just 3-7-1 heading into December 4.

If Lewis gets fired either this year or next year, it would welcome a fresh change to an organization that needs it. During Lewis’ tenure, they have actually been stable at the quarterback position, but none of their players have been able to lead them far. Andy Dalton has led them for the past six years and has done a respectable job. His 2016 season hasn’t been anything to note of, though, as he’s not finding the end zone and has had an awful QBR (52.9). So, it may be time for the organization to consider life after the former TCU star.

The 2016 season has already shown that the Bengals are in decline. This is the result of losing key players to injuries and free agency over the years, and the talent simply not being good enough to trump the stalwarts of the AFC. Plenty of times, the rebuild starts with the quarterback position. If Cincinnati continues to fall in 2017 and ends up firing Lewis, then Lamar Jackson should be a serious option for them.

The Bengals franchise has gotten stale over the years, mostly due to the same coach and identity of the team. They tend to keep the same core of players around for a number of years, which is great for stability. That group has to produce results, though, and over the past decade-plus, it has not. So, if this team decides to tear it down and rebuild, then Jackson could be the first piece to the puzzle in 2018. He would bring a dynamic dual-threat to the Bengals offense that would open things up for them like never before. Instead of relying on just a pocket passer, they could use him to extend plays, make defenses have to guess if he’s going to pass or run, and thwart game plans. It would be something unlike anyone else at QB in the AFC North, including Ben Roethlisberger, who is already 34-years-old.

Jackson would represent the future of this division of teams and potentially lead the Bengals to a handful of playoff appearances. There’s even a chance of him finally getting this team over the Wild Card hump.

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Lamar Jackson would represent a completely new chapter for the Bengals, one that’s needed after years of mediocrity. It would first take a new head coach, though, which is far from a guarantee given Lewis’ tenure and relationship with ownership. Could it finally change by 2018?

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