Kevin Eck

Is Lamar Jackson the Greatest No. 8 in Sports History?

The number eight has been in the sports headlines as of late.

Lamar Jackson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. resolved a trademark dispute over the No. 8 when the NASCAR driver announced Friday that he'll abandon the effort to secure trademark protection of the stylized No. 8 used by his JR Motorsports.

On Sunday, the Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, who wears No. 8, surpassed Wayne Gretzky to become the NHL's all-time leader in goals.

The two developments sparkedThe Athleticto raise a debate over which athlete is the greatest No. 8 in sports history.

Jackson has a strong case, as he was deemed the best player to ever wear No. 8 not only in the NFL, but also college football.

"The NFL is king. We are reminded of that annually when television ratings come out," Jeff Zrebiec wrote. "And Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson isn't just one of the faces of the NFL. With his unique style, he's redefined how we view quarterbacks, the most glamorous and integral position in professional sports."

Zrebiec listed some of Jackson's impressive accomplishments (two MVP awards, an unprecedented 4,000-plus passing yards and 800-plus rushing yards in one season, the single-season rushing record for a quarterback) and noted that it's how he attained them that "elevates him into another stratosphere."

"This is an athlete who has constantly been told what he isn't or what he can't be," Zrebiec wrote. "Most teams didn't believe he had the goods to be an NFL franchise quarterback ahead of the 2018 Draft. When there was an opportunity to potentially sign him two offseasons ago, 31 other teams stayed away.

"Yet Jackson has never wavered, never changed to try to be someone else or acquiesced to criticism. He is unapologetically who he is, and that's one of the most captivating and interesting personalities in professional sports."

Regarding Jackson's college career, Scott Dochterman wrote: "Few players could match Jackson's on-field theatrics, which is pretty much what we could say about his NFL impact nearly a decade later. Jackson won the 2016 Heisman Trophy and finished third in 2017. If someone began a list of college football's most explosive players, it starts with him."

Other athletes who received support in the No. 8 great debate were: Ovechkin, Earnhardt Jr., MLB's Yogi Berra (sorry Cal Ripken Jr. fans), the NBA's Kobe Bryant, and soccer's Andrs Iniesta.

Mel Kiper Jr. Has Ravens Selecting Safety, Outside Linebacker in Two-Round Mock Draft

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.s latest mock draftexpanded to include the second round.

For the Ravens in the first round at No. 27, Kiper stuck with Georgia safety Malaki Starks.

"Starks does a little bit of everything on the back end," Kiper wrote. "He can step up into the box and stop the run. He can drop over the slot in coverage. And he can patrol center field with his closing speed."

In Round 2, Kiper mocked Central Arkansas outside linebacker David Walker to Baltimore at No. 59.

"I'm a big fan of Walker's game; he jumps off the tape," Kiper wrote. "He shows quickness, power and bend off the edge, and he mixes up his pass-rush plans to keep offensive tackles guessing. Walker had 31 sacks and 63 tackles for loss over the past three seasons. With Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh both entering the final years of their deals, the Ravens might start looking to the future."

Ravens Named NFL's Best at Two Position Groups

Sports Illustratednamed the best teams at every position group heading into the draft. The Ravens were No. 1 at tight end and safety.

"The Ravens have the luxury of having two starting-caliber tight ends, making them perhaps the only team in the league that can say that," Gilberto Manzano wrote. "Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely combined for 97 receptions, 1,150 yards and a whopping 17 touchdowns last season. What makes this duo unique is how much they contribute as downfield pass catchers for Jackson, with Andrews and Likely averaging 12.2 yards and 11.4 yards per reception, respectively."

Manzano didn't mention Charlie Kolar, the other member of the league's top tight end room, but he has been a valuable blocker in the run game, a reliable target in the passing game, and a contributor on special teams.

As for the safety position, Matt Verderame wrote: "There aren't any unbelievable safety duos in the league right now, but there's one safety who tilts the field more than anybody else. Kyle Hamilton has been dominant throughout his first three NFL seasons, becoming a two-time Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro. All told, Hamilton has registered five interceptions and seven sacks along with 250 tackles.

"While Ar'Darius Washington isn't the caliber of player Hamilton is, he acquitted himself well once thrust into the starting role in 2024. Washington started 10 games (while playing all 17) and became a meaningful piece of the secondary, snatching two interceptions and eight passes defensed while totaling 64 tackles."

The Ravens and Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles (running back, offensive line) were the only teams to take the top spot at multiple position groups. The Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen got the nod at quarterback over Jackson.

Three Ravens Among Top 30 Players Who Could Hit Free Agency in 2026

With free agency largely over for this offseason,The Athletics Daniel Popperlooked ahead to 2026 and ranked the top 30 players who could hit free agency.

Running back Derrick Henry landed at No. 7.

"Henry is apparently not aware of any running back cliff," Popper wrote. "In his age-30 season, Henry carried the ball 325 times for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns. Even in his ninth NFL season, Henry is still capable of wearing a defense down and physically dominating late in games. He averaged over 6 yards per carry in the fourth quarter in 2024 on 85 carries. Only Saquon Barkley carried the ball more often in the fourth quarter last season with 88 carries. Henry had a 49.4 percent success rate on fourth-quarter carries. Barkley had a 40.9 percent success rate on such carries."

Henry signed a two-year deal last offseason reportedly for $16 million plus incentives that could boost the total to $20 million. General Manager Eric DeCosta said this offseason that the team will look at signing the five-time Pro Bowler to an extension.

Barkley, 28, became the highest-paid running back in NFL history last month when he signed a two-year extension with the Eagles that is reportedly worth $41.2 million in new money and includes $36 million guaranteed with an additional $15 million in incentives.

Andrews (No. 17) and 25-year-old defensive tackle Travis Jones (No. 27) also made the rankings.

"There was some trade buzz surrounding Andrews this offseason. But he remains with the Ravens and is on the final year of a four-year, $56 million extension he signed in 2021," Popper wrote. "Andrews is still a matchup advantage over the middle of the field.

"Jones is a difference-maker against the run and moves outrageously well for a 340-pound man. He went toe-to-toe with the Eagles interior in Week 13 and won a bunch of matchups in run defense against Cam Jurgens, Landon Dickerson and Mekhi Becton. The Ravens limited Barkley to 4.7 yards per carry tied for his fifth-lowest average of the regular season. Jones was a big part of that. He has some pass-rush upside but loses momentum when he faces double-teams. He had 35 pressures last season. If Jones can uptick his pass-rush production, he could be in line for a big contract."

Quick Hits

Yesterday's Most Read:Late for Work: This Would Be Ravens' 'Dream Haul' in NFL Draft

• The Athletic's Dane Brugler was asked to choose between Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams and Alabama guard Tyler Booker for the Ravens in the first round onMina Kimes podcast. Brugler went with Williams, who had 14 career sacks in college.