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NFL Combine 2018: What to watch from the quarterbacks

By Patrick Schmidt

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins and Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans meet on the field after a 28-23 Trojan win at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins and Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans meet on the field after a 28-23 Trojan win at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Sam Darnold
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 01: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks to throw a pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the Pac-12 Football Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium on December 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Sam Darnold – The raw talent with the “it” factor

Sam Darnold already has people talking about the former USC quarterback before the combine after he decided he would not be throwing during Saturday’s on-field workout.

You can look at this two ways. The first is that Darnold is cowering at the opportunity to showcase his skills and ability in front of every NFL team or that he has something to hide. Some speculated that Darnold isn’t throwing at the combine because he’s making some mechanical changes to his throwing motion, which has been described as elongated. Darnold shot down those rumors saying his delivery is what’s gotten him to this point.

I think that’s the wrong way to look at it. I looked at Darnold’s decision no differently than I did for Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan or Andrew Luck who chose not to throw at the combine.

Those three all had their draft position locked up so it didn’t benefit them to throw to receivers they have never worked with before or had any sort of timing or rapport. Darnold is not going to drop dramatically on draft boards for his decision to wait to throw until his Pro Day on March 21. Conversely, if the Browns, owners of the top pick, love what they see at his Pro Day, they aren’t going to care that he didn’t throw a few balls to strangers at the combine.

Darnold will perform in the other drills and I think he’s going to show he’s the most athletic quarterback in Indy not named Lamar Jackson.

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