Lamar Jackson Rumors: QB's 2018 NFL Draft Stock 'Continues to Trend Upward'

Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson is reportedly trending in the right direction as the 2018 NFL draft approaches.

On Saturday, Jordan Schultz of Yahoo Sports reported his understanding is Jackson's draft stock "continues to trend upward." Schultz suggested it is "hard to imagine" the Louisville product being taken anywhere but the first round and suggested the Arizona Cardinals as a potential landing spot with the No. 15 pick.

Despite Schultz's report, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller did not have Jackson going in the first round of his latest mock draft. That didn't stop Miller from projecting four other quarterbacks going in the first six picks, though, with Sam Darnold going No. 1 to the Cleveland Browns, Josh Allen going No. 3 to the New York Jets, Baker Mayfield going No. 5 to the Denver Broncos and Josh Rosen going No. 6 to the Buffalo Bills.

Miller projected the Cardinals to select cornerback Mike Hughes instead of Jackson with the 15th pick, although he did have the Louisville product as the next-best quarterback prospect behind those first four on his post-NFL Scouting Combine big board of rankings.

Jackson was a nearly unstoppable playmaker at the college level as the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner and the ACC Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017.

He routinely hurt opposing defenses with his arm and legs and tallied 3,660 passing yards, 1,601 rushing yards and 45 total touchdowns with just 10 interceptions in 2017.

Jackson is also listed at 6'3" on his NFL.com draft profile, suggesting the height to stand in the pocket and deliver downfield should not be a particular concern at the next level.

Jackson looked like a potential first-round pick throughout much of his college career, but the availability of Darnold, Rosen, Mayfield and Allen in this draft means the teams picking near the top will have a number of choices at the position.

Still, if he continues to trend in the right direction, he could very well hear his name called during the first round on April 26 in Arlington, Texas.