New York Jets: Predicting top 3 rookie impact players

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Dimitri Flowers #36 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates after scoring a 36-yard receiving touchdown during the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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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) /

2. Sam Darnold, QB

Given my affinity for Darnold, and the fact that I expect him to be a Week 1 starter, you’d think I’d have him No. 1 on this list. However, there’s a big reason he’s No. 2. I don’t know if he will actually start Week 1.

When he starts will largely determine his impact on the 2018 Jets. Call me Captain Obvious, but the fewer games he starts, the less his impact will be. Given this unknown, he can’t be at No. 1.

However, if he does start Week 1, his impact will be felt right away. It will be a similar impact that Deshaun Watson had on the Houston Texans last year when he finally was given the reigns and when Andrew Luck started for the Indianapolis Colts.

Darnold has the mobility needed to play in this league, and he has the accuracy needed to play in the West Coast Offense. He also played in a college offense conducive to building pro quarterbacks, as he can read through the progressions. He will have to cut down on the fumbling, but we’ve seen players fix fumbling issues before. It’s all dependent on when he starts, though. A Week 1 start means major impact — otherwise, less and less.

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