New York Jets 2018 Rookie Profile: Sam Darnold
The New York Jets selected quarterback Sam Darnold with the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Here we take a look at his profile as a rookie
Have the New York Jets finally found their franchise quarterback? General manager Mike Maccagnan better hope so. It may mean his job if they haven’t.
Sam Darnold was selected with the third overall pick in this year’s draft and he needs to be the signal-caller that will eventually lead Gang Green out of the abyss and into the promised land. That means a long-awaited Super Bowl title.
There is no rush though. At least not this year. The USC product is still just 20 years old and will need some time to adapt to the pro game. He has a world of talent though. Darnold tossed 57 touchdown passes with 22 interceptions in his two seasons with the Trojans. He completed 64.9 percent of his passes and averaged 268 yards through the air per contest. He led USC to a 21-6 ledger in his two years in southern California.
Let’s take a look at some of his highlights:
PROS: The sky is the limit for the 6-4, 220-pounder. He possesses a strong and accurate arm, throws well on the run and is an excellent scrambler. Darnold stands up stoutly in the face of the blitz and he’s known for going through his progressions efficiently. He’s a gifted athlete that has a solid frame for a NFL signal-caller. The Capistrano Beach, CA native reminds me of a young Andrew Luck.
Darnold is especially effective when plays break down and he is flushed from the pocket. He bides his time well with his balance and lateral movement in order to fire a pass in scramble mode or to pick up a key first down with his running ability. Darnold is a tough, gritty and highly competitive. I don’t think the pressure of playing in the New York area will faze him one bit.
CONS: Ball security. Darnold has to take better care of the football. He committed 22 turnovers last year (13 interceptions, nine fumbles) with the Trojans. That has to change on the pro level. Darnold needs to keep both hands on the football when pressured to avoid being stripped so often. He has a long release in his throwing motion and will probably work on shortening it with offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates.
Darnold also has a tendency to fire the ball too strongly on some intermediate tosses. He can be a little bit of a gunslinger at times as well. There were scenarios when he held onto the ball a little too long which led to fumbles when hit. Sometimes an incomplete pass would have served him much better.
Next: NFL 2018: Rookie class bold predictions
SUMMARY: This was one of the most important draft picks in team history. The Jets have been searching forever for a franchise quarterback and they can only hope that Darnold is finally the one. Maccagnan’s job is probably riding on it. I don’t expect him to start the regular season opener in Detroit — that honor will probably go to Josh McCown — but I believe he will take over the starting duties sometime during the second half of the 2018 campaign. Darnold has the ability to become a perennial Pro Bowl performer. The Jets have to make sure they don’t rush him though. That would be a huge mistake.