Jackson doesn't envision position change: 'I can throw with the best of them'

While others believe he's more suited to play wide receiver at the next level, Lamar Jackson firmly believes his football future is at quarterback.

"Probably the receiver one. The one that's like, 'Oh he might play receiver.' A lot of people say that, but I don't see how," the Louisville star told Bill Bender of Sporting News. "I can throw with the best of them. I don't know how many touchdowns I threw, but I threw a lot. That's the biggest one that gets me."

Jackson set the college world on fire last season as a dynamic dual-threat signal-caller en route to the Heisman Trophy, but some still aren't convinced his scramble-heavy game will translate to the NFL.

After playing primarily out of the shotgun through his first two seasons, the Cardinals are planning to use Jackson more under center this year as a way to help him prepare for the pros. Presumably, that means Jackson will spend more time in the pocket, where he'll be forced to keep his eyes downfield and rely on his arm instead of his legs.

"I feel like I can throw any route on the field," the 6-foot-3 Jackson added. "I don't feel like I can just throw a 20-yard pass or a bomb. I feel like I can throw slants, hitches, out routes, freak outs, speed outs. I feel like I can throw any pass on the field."

A junior in 2017, Jackson will be eligible for the NFL draft for the first time after the coming campaign.