Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson before the TaxSlayer Bowl against Mississippi...

Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson before the TaxSlayer Bowl against Mississippi State on Dec. 30, 2017. Credit: AP / Stephen B. Morton

INDIANAPOLIS — If there is a question about which position is best for Lamar Jackson in the minds of many NFL executives and draft analysts, there is no question for Jackson himself.

He’s a quarterback. Period.

Forget the fact that former general manager Bill Polian, a recently elected member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, adamantly believes that Jackson is much better suited to be an NFL receiver. That’s also the opinion shared by longtime ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper. And many NFL executives share that belief, although most are unwilling to say so publicly lest they run the risk of the kind of public blowback Polian and Kiper have received.

It’s a debate reminiscent of the one Tim Tebow faced when the former Heisman Trophy winner came out of Florida in 2010. A dual-threat quarterback for Urban Meyer, Tebow was a terrific runner in addition to being a capable quarterback. And while the NFL community was split about where he’d be best suited, Tebow was unequivocal in wanting to be a quarterback and resisted suggestions he’d be better off as a running back or tight end.

History showed that Tebow wasn’t a legitimate NFL quarterback, even if he did win a playoff game with the Broncos. General manager John Elway couldn’t wait to replace Tebow and wound up signing Peyton Manning, who led Denver to a Super Bowl championship two years ago. Tebow was little more than a hood ornament in the Jets’ wildcat offense after he was dealt to New York, and he never became a starter. At 30, he’s now trying to make the Mets’ Major League roster and is out of chances in the NFL.

Does Jackson meet a similar fate if he insists on being given a chance at quarterback – a chance he frankly deserves, based off his astonishing production at Louisville, where he threw for 9,043 yards and 69 touchdowns and ran for 4,132 yards?

He’s about to find out.

Jackson will perform exclusively at quarterback at this week’s Scouting Combine, and in a quarterback-dependent league, he’ll be under intense scrutiny by teams looking for a long-term answer at the position. That undoubtedly will include the Jets, who have the sixth overall pick and almost certainly will be in position to draft this uniquely talented athlete. Especially if they miss out on free agent Kirk Cousins, who may be leaning toward signing with the Vikings. The Giants are sure to study him as well, but with the second overall pick, they’re more likely to draft a passer rated higher than Jackson, whose 57.0 completion percentage has been a concern.

While Jackson’s resume has already become a subject of spirited debate, one coach who is highly respected for his quarterback evaluation believes Jackson is absolutely deserving of a shot at his preferred position. Forget the wide receiver talk – Andy Reid is convinced Jackson can and should be viewed as a quarterback.

“I think you probably want to try it there and see,” Reid said at the combine. “He’s pretty good. I would. I’d give that a whirl. I could handle that, yeah.”

Reid is in position to speak a bit more freely about Jackson, because he’s not in the market for a quarterback. The Chiefs last year traded up to get Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a big-armed 22-year-old passer who will take over for Alex Smith after the Chiefs traded him to Washington.

“Let’s exhaust that other thing that we know he’s good at and see,” Reid said of Jackson playing quarterback. “I’m just saying in general. This is a general statement: Let’s get him in and let him wing it a little bit and see how he does. We’ll be able to fit some things in there, I’m sure.”

Polian argues that Jackson, who at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds has prototype size and speed at receiver, might as well make the position switch now so he doesn’t waste years pursuing a position for which he’s not as well-suited. Same with Kiper.

But it’s a suggestion that will fall on deaf ears, because Jackson wants to do it his way.

As a quarterback.

As he should.

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