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2018 NFL Draft QB stock report – Week 11: Baker Mayfield a first round talent?

By Conor Dorney

STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 04: Quarterback Baker Mayfield
STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 04: Quarterback Baker Mayfield /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 04: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks to pass in the first half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 04: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks to pass in the first half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Sam Darnold

QB, USC

Sam Darnold rolled through both Arizona schools in Weeks 9 and 10 (unfortunately for my Sun Devils) and has seemed to rebound after the Trojans’ embarrassing performance against Notre Dame.

Darnold was the key catalyst for a resurgent USC offense in the last two weeks, throwing for over 500 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. He had one of the most impressive throws I’ve seen from a quarterback all season in the second quarter against Arizona State, perfectly placing a ball in between three defenders for a touchdown. On the previous play, however, Darnold missed a wide open touchdown, another illustration of some of the puzzling stretches that the Trojans signal-caller has suffered through at times this season.

Darnold also remains one of the draft’s biggest question marks from an eligibility standpoint, as reports have surfaced several times over the course of the year that indicate he may decide to return to Los Angeles for his redshirt junior season in 2018. There have even been recent rumblings that suggest Darnold could delay declaring for the draft until he knows just how the draft order will shake out. What’s his biggest criteria for determining whether it’s worth it to go back to school for another year? Well, I’ll give you a hint. He isn’t exactly thrilled with the idea of playing in Cleveland.

There are still a number of issues that concern scouts when it comes to Darnold’s game, with ball security and a long release being two of the biggest. He’s done a better job at limiting turnovers in the last couple weeks but managed to do so against some not-so-great defenses. The Trojans control their own destiny in the Pac-12 South and how Darnold performs in a conference championship and potential major bowl game could show scouts a lot about whether or not he’s capable of being a team’s franchise quarterback.

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