Ravens Replacing Lamar Jackson with Malik Cunningham?

The Ravens and their star quarterback (QB) Lamar Jackson have reached an impasse in their negotiations, leaving open the possibility that the team could replace him with Louisville QB Malik Cunningham.

What?

As “wild” as that may sound, it’s a distinct possibility that the Ravens’ could go back to Louisville to find their future leader.

Why?

Cunningham has a similar style to Jackson as a true dual-threat.

In addition, Cunningham left Louisville with a higher QBR rating than Jackson. He also had a higher completion percentage and a higher yards-per-completion rate.

Here’s what the analytics have to say on the matter.

Cunningham vs. Jackson

The Competition Factor states:

“Cunningham shares some similarities to fellow Louisville Cardinal and NFL MVP, Lamar Jackson. Both have very similar efficiency, pass yards per completion, yards per attempt, TD, rush yards per game, dual threat, and overall ratings, with Jackson being slightly higher in each. Jackson rated much better in pass yards per game and was in a class all alone in rushing yards per carry. In the end, Jackson ended up as our 11th all-time dual threat and Cunningham our 19th (dating back to 2006). Interestingly enough, Jackson would have been our 3rd overall rated RB in the 2018 draft class when you compare his rushing production to the rest of the 2018 class. However, Cunningham takes care of the ball better, rating above Jackson in accuracy and interception avoidance. Cunningham may have been the more consistent college player and Jackson was more explosive in terms of production and big plays. There were 13 games Jackson had 4+ TDs in 3 years at Louisville. Cunningham had 10 games of 4+ TDs in 5 years at Louisville. Lamar Jackson was known for taking over games, scoring between 5-8 TDs several times. 

The following table represents the Competition Factor position relevant metrics for each quarterback and how they stack up to one another.”

Why is the Jackson deal not happening?

The problem is Jackson finished the past three seasons ranked No. 22-No. 27 (espn.com) in the pass completion percentage department.

He wants elite money but has failed to produce elite passing results, which is the real sticking point.

No question, he’s been the Ravens’ top passer and rusher for the past three seasons. He has even produced a league MVP (2019) in the process.

However, he’s 1-3 in the playoffs, with no Super Bowl appearances.

QB Deshaun Watson led the league in passing yardage (4,823) in 2020 before landing his big contract with Cleveland.

Jackson has never even finished in the top 20.

Now, all the running and the wear and tear on Jackson’s body is starting to catch up as well. Jackson has been missing games (5 games at the conclusion of each of the last two seasons).

Is Jackson showing signs of physical decline while trying to cash in?

The argument for Cunningham

The Ravens could get a similar style of play (and production) from Cunningham as they’ve been getting from Jackson as of late. It would not be maybe as explosive. Jackson put up a 4.34 (40-yard-dash) coming out of Louisville, and Cunningham time was 4.53 at the NFL Combine.

However, make no mistake, Cunningham is every bit the runner Jackson and Bears’ QB Justin Fields is. Cunningham has shown in the open field he’s elusive and he has that coveted second gear of speed.

Cunningham, like Jackson, is an elite runner and an inconsistent passer. In addition, Jackson’s touchdown-to-interception ratio is trending in the wrong direction. After a 36-6 (2019) and 26-9 (2020) touchdown-to-interception, he has come back with a 16-13 (2021) and 17-7 (2022) touchdown-to-interception ratio.

While Cunningham’s interception numbers are in that same Jackson 2021 and 2022. There would not be a huge noticeable difference between the two. Cunningham has also proven to be durable playing in 56/62 games at Louisville.

As a business decision, it’s a no-brainer, Cunningham costs a draft pick and would be on a rookie contract, and Jackson costs a fortune. With Jackson, a good chunk of the team’s salary cap would be his contract. With Cunningham, that money could be building a better team instead, and having a better team leads back to Super Bowl contention.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.