Lamar Jackson Trade Request Not Affecting Ravens' Approach to NFL Draft QBs, GM Says

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta suggested Wednesday that the uncertainty surrounding quarterback Lamar Jackson and his future with the team is not impacting his approach to the 2023 NFL draft.

According to NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano, a reporter asked DeCosta if he is "looking at quarterback differently" based on the Jackson saga, to which DeCosta replied: "I don't think we really are."

The Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson early last month, but Jackson announced last week that he was tagged after informing the Ravens that he wanted to be traded.

During the same media availability, DeCosta did not rule out the possibility of using a first-round pick on a quarterback.

Per Albert Breer of The MMQB, DeCosta was asked if he would consider using a first-rounder on signal caller, and he replied, "I'd have to say yes because we have QBs in our top 31."

DeCosta also said he believes there are "more than four" quarterbacks in the 2023 draft class who can be "significant" contributors in the NFL.

Alabama's Bryce Young, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Florida's Anthony Richardson and Kentucky's Will Levis have long been considered slam-dunk first-round picks, although it is difficult to envision Baltimore having a shot at any of them outside of trading up.

All of the aforementioned quarterbacks seem like strong bets to go inside the top 10—some or all of them may even go in the top five. The Ravens own the No. 22 overall pick in the first round.

Another quarterback who has seemingly entered the first-round conversation over the past couple of weeks is Tennessee's Hendon Hooker, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear in November.

Hooker, who was arguably the Heisman Trophy front-runner at the time of his injury, could conceivably be on the board at No. 22 overall.

If the Ravens do feel compelled to select Hooker or another quarterback in the first round, it would possibly signal their willingness to part ways with Jackson.

The Ravens could trade Jackson, or if a team wants to sign him to an offer sheet, the Ravens could either match it or decline to match it. If the Ravens were to decline, the team that signs Jackson would have to send two first-round picks to Baltimore.

Jackson, 26, was the No. 32 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, and he has arguably exceeded expectations during his five-year career.

Thanks to Jackson's 45-16 record as a starter, the Ravens have reached the playoffs in four of his five seasons. He is also a two-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro, and he was named NFL MVP in 2019 when he threw a league-leading 36 touchdown passes and rushed for 1,206 yards and seven scores.

Jackson has a playoff record of just 1-3, however, and he has been unable to finish each of the past two seasons because of injuries, missing five regular-season games in both 2021 and 2022, plus a playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last season.

There is plenty of uncertainty regarding Jackson's future in Baltimore, although the draft could provide a major clue about the Ravens' intentions moving forward, especially if they take a quarterback early.