Everyone remembers where they were when the Baltimore Ravens traded back into the first round. It was late. People were tired. The snacks were gone. Then, the announcement came. Lamar Jackson was drafted in 2018. Specifically, it happened on April 26, 2018, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. But that’s just the raw data. The actual story is a lot more chaotic than a simple calendar date.
Honestly, the way the league treated a Heisman Trophy winner was kind of insulting. You had a guy who just spent years shredding the ACC at Louisville, and yet, scouts were asking him to run routes as a wide receiver. Imagine that. One of the most electric quarterbacks in the history of the sport being told he should probably just catch passes instead.
The Long Wait for the 32nd Pick
Lamar Jackson wasn't just drafted in 2018; he was the last pick of the first round. He sat in that green room for hours. You could see the frustration on his face.
Four other quarterbacks went before him:
- Baker Mayfield (No. 1 to the Browns)
- Sam Darnold (No. 3 to the Jets)
- Josh Allen (No. 7 to the Bills)
- Josh Rosen (No. 10 to the Cardinals)
By the time the draft hit pick 25, 26, 27... people started whispering. Was he going to fall to the second round? It felt like the NFL was collectively overthinking one of the most obvious talents to ever enter the league. Then, the Ravens called the Philadelphia Eagles. They traded up to the 32nd spot. Ozzie Newsome, in his final draft as the Ravens' GM, decided to change the franchise forever.
"They're going to get a Super Bowl out of me," Lamar told Deion Sanders right after he walked off the stage. He looked straight into the camera. He wasn't smiling. He was locked in.
Why Teams Hesitated in 2018
It’s easy to look back now and call every other team "stupid," but the vibe in 2018 was different. The NFL was still largely obsessed with the "prototypical" pocket passer. Lamar didn't fit the mold. He didn't have an agent, either—his mom, Felicia Jones, handled his business. That rubbed some old-school executives the wrong way. They called it "unorthodox." I’d call it being smart and keeping the money in the family.
Critics pointed to his completion percentage at Louisville. They worried about his slender frame. They feared he’d get "exposed" if he tried to run like that against NFL linebackers.
Boy, were they wrong.
Breaking the System in Baltimore
When the Ravens took him, they didn't just hand him the keys. Joe Flacco was still the guy. Lamar started his rookie year doing "gadget" plays. It was sort of awkward to watch. But then Flacco got hurt against the Steelers in Week 9.
The rest is literally history.
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Lamar took over as the starter in Week 11 against the Bengals. The Ravens went 6-1 in his seven starts. They surged into the playoffs while the rest of the league scrambled to figure out how to stop a quarterback who moved like a gazelle and threw lasers. By the time 2019 rolled around, he was the league's second-ever unanimous MVP.
The 2018 Draft Class: A Retrospective
Looking back from 2026, that 2018 draft is fascinating. Josh Allen turned into a superstar in Buffalo. Baker Mayfield bounced around a bit but found his footing eventually. But Lamar? He stayed in Baltimore. He won another MVP in 2023. He became the highest-paid player in the league for a stretch.
If you re-did that draft today, there is a very strong argument that he goes No. 1 overall. Maybe No. 2 behind Allen, depending on who you ask, but definitely not 32nd. The Ravens got the steal of the century because they were willing to build an offense for a player rather than forcing a player into a rigid, 1990s-style system.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're looking to understand the impact of the 2018 draft, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- System Matters: Lamar succeeded because Greg Roman (and later Todd Monken) leaned into his strengths. A player’s draft year is just the beginning; the coaching staff they land with determines the ceiling.
- Draft Position Isn't Destiny: Being the 32nd pick gave Lamar a chip on his shoulder that hasn't left. It also gave the Ravens a fifth-year option on his contract, which was huge for their cap management.
- Trust the Tape: Lamar had over 9,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards in college. The "he's a receiver" narrative was a failure of scouting, not a reflection of his talent.
If you ever find yourself in a bar argument about what year Lamar Jackson was drafted, just remember 2018—the year the Ravens played chess while everyone else was playing checkers.
To see how his rookie cards have held up since that 2018 season, check out current market listings on eBay or specialized sports card forums. You might also want to re-watch the 2018 "Draft Day" highlights on the NFL's official YouTube channel to see the exact moment the Ravens traded up; the energy in the room completely shifted when his name was called.