New York Jets: Predicting the quarterback depth chart for 2018

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Sam Darnold of USC poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #3 overall by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Sam Darnold of USC gestures after being picked #3 overall by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

1. Sam Darnold

There’s talk that there’s no point in starting Sam Darnold Week 1, because “it’ll ruin his career,” especially behind “that offensive line.” Let’s get the offensive line questions out of the way first. Brian Winters missed significant time last season. James Carpenter played hurt, and Wesley Johnson proved not to be an adequate NFL center. They replaced Johnson, and Carpenter and Winter will return to full strength and ready to go.

As far as Sam Darnold being doomed to fail starting Week 1 as a rookie, there’s no t enough evidence that points to that being a sure bet. In fact, the recent evidence points to mixed results when it comes to rookie quarterbacks starting Week 1 as rookies in recent years and their eventual success in the NFL. So, there’s no way to say he’s doom to fail or set to succeed based on starting Week 1 as a rookie.

Next: NFL Draft 2018: Biggest steals for each team

The truth is there’s one quarterback who should be the litmus test for starting rookies Week 1, John Elway. Elway started in the first five games of his NFL career, and Steve DeBerg came in to play in four out of the five, and then he didn’t start another game until Week 11. (He finished the final five start, and his career wasn’t ruined…I think). So, it’s essentially about how Darnold handles himself and prepares to be the starter, not his age or experience in college.

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