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2018 NFL Draft QB stock report – Week 6: What’s wrong with Sam Darnold?

By Conor Dorney

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins passes as Dante Wigley #4 of the Colorado Buffaloes defends during the first half of a game at the Rose Bowl on September 30, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins passes as Dante Wigley #4 of the Colorado Buffaloes defends during the first half of a game at the Rose Bowl on September 30, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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PULLMAN, WA – SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans carries the ball against the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Martin Stadium on September 29, 2017, in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA – SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans carries the ball against the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Martin Stadium on September 29, 2017, in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
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Sam Darnold

QB, USC

After debuting on our list at number one last week, Darnold falls all the way to the fifth spot for a number of reasons. For starters, Darnold struggled mightily on the national stage in last Friday’s road contest against No. 16 Washington State, falling to the Luke Falk-led Cougars by a score of 30-27. The redshirt sophomore Darnold ended the day with a paltry 15 for 29 line with 164 yards and one interception.

Although he did add two rushing touchdowns, Darnold struggled in pretty much every area and certainly didn’t look like a player worthy of the number one overall selection in next April’s draft. Injuries mounted up on the offensive side of the ball throughout the game, but Darnold’s accuracy and decision-making were inconsistent throughout, and culminated in a strip sack and lost a fumble that sealed the win for the Cougars.

Finally, there are already reports suggesting that Darnold may not be a part of the 2018 class, to begin with.

It’s pretty apparent that Darnold is a quarterback who just may need a bit more seasoning before he’s ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, but the sophomore will still be one to watch for scouts as the Trojans look to march toward a Pac-12 title.

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