Lamar Jackson is an electric, dynamic dual-threat quarterback, and the Louisville star doesn’t need a 40-yard dash time to prove it.
Shortly after Jake Lourim of the Courier-Journal reported he was hearing Jackson wouldn’t run at Louisville’s pro day, NFL Network’s Mike Mayock confirmed the news.
Put simply, it’s not a negative for Jackson.
Some viewers will express concern about it, since Jackson declined to run the 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine, too. But if anyone is genuinely worried about his speed, that’s on them. Jackson ran for more than 4,000 yards while in college.
There’s little reason for Jackson to fuel the already-problematic suggestion he should switch to wide receiver. The inconsistencies involved with that analysis is another frustrating story, but Jackson’s only focus of the pre-draft process should be reinforcing his proven ability to play quarterback.
If NFL scouts and GMs want to see Jackson run that distance, they can turn on the tape of his 18 40-plus-yard runs in college. They’ll see a terrific quarterback, too.