Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson wrote a letter to his fans on his personal Twitter stating that he requested a trade on March 2, 2023. Jackson was drafted by the Ravens as the 32nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s spent the first five years of his NFL career with the organization.

Potential Lamar Jackson Trade Details

The Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson on March 7, 2023. The dual-threat signal caller asked for a trade out of Baltimore on March 2, five days prior. Should Jackson sign the tender, the Ravens will pay him $32.416 million in fully guaranteed money. In that scenario, the Ravens would have until July 17 to agree to a long-term deal with Jackson.

When it comes to the non-exclusive franchise tag, the Ravens can not receive more than the CBA-authorized two first-round draft picks in compensation for Jackson, the former 2019 NFL MVP.  Furthermore, if a team elects to wait until after the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft to trade for Jackson, the compensation would turn into first-round picks in 2024 and 2025.

Although you can make the case that at least three-quarters of the 32 NFL teams should be inquiring about Jackson’s services, a team has yet sign him to an offer sheet. The Ravens have the option to match any offer sheet assigned to Jackson to retain the disgruntled signal caller.

Potential Lamar Jackson Compensation

If you are asking why teams aren’t banging down the door to acquiring Jackson, there are significant factors to consider. For one, the compensation. Two first-round picks are essentially mortgaging away your future. However, Jackson is more than worth it when you look back at his five-year body of work.

There is also the competition a team must pay Jackson in a potential contract. Jackson reportedly wants fully guaranteed money for the full term of a deal, similar to the contract Deshaun Watson signed with the Cleveland Browns last year.

All of a sudden, the overall price a team must pay for Jackson is sky-high, when all phases of compensation are thrown into the equation. Still, when a talent like Jackson is available, you’d think at least one team would show interest.

Fantasy Football Outlook:

Jackson’s price point should be at an all-time low with all of the unknowns. In Dynasty, the time is now to buy. Even in redraft and best ball leagues, you can get Jackson at a value compared to his upside.

We know what Jackson can do with a slightly above-average supporting cast, which is what he’s had with the Ravens through the years. Jackson has been the QB8  or better in FPPG in each of the past four seasons (QB6, 7, 8, 1). And although he popped as the overall QB1 in 2019, his MVP campaign, his best fantasy finish since that season was the QB6 in FPPG last season, where he only appeared in 12 games.

Jackson has now played in 12 games in back-to-back seasons, which could be another reason why teams may be hesitant to sign him to a fully guaranteed contract. The wear and tear on Jackson’s body could be starting to catch up to him.

Top Lamar Jackson Landing Spots: 

Lamar Jackson makes a lot of teams around the NFL better. However, there are three landing spots that stick out over the field.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts seem to be in on Jackson. However, yesterday, owner Jim Irsay told the press that he does not “believe in fully guaranteed contracts.” That right there is an issue since a fully guaranteed deal is what Jackson reportedly desires. Playing for the Colts could be a lateral move for Jackson since they are another run-heavy team with questionable pass catchers.

Washington Commanders

Commanders GM Martin Mayhew suggested to the press that the team would not pursue Jackson and that the organization is going to move forward with Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett. if this is true and not a smokescreen, then this is a prime example of why bad teams stay bad.

Landing with the Commanders would be an outstanding move for Jackson. Not only would he see significant upgrades when it comes to a supporting cast on offense, but it is also close to home (Baltimore).

For the Commanders, Jackson would instantly rejuvenate a  perennially defunct franchise, sell merchandise and fill a stadium that is falling apart by the season. Acquiring Jackson could also draw additional local fans who are loyal to the quarterback, stealing them away from the Ravens.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons make a lot of sense for Jackson. They are loaded with young offensive talent on rookie deals and still have some cap room left over from NFL Free Agency. They also employ a ground and pound-centric head coach, Arthur Smith. And oh, by the way, the Falcons are in a wide-open NFC South.

Adding Jackson instantly puts them on top of the South for years to come while the other three teams are in the midst of a rebuild. In a recent presser, Smith told reporters that the team is going to run with Desmond Ridder in 2023 but later suggested that the Falcons are open to upgrading any position on the field. The door is still open for Jackson to land with the Falcons.

For more free agent news, check out the Fantasy Football News Tracker.

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