2018 NFL Draft profile: Sam Darnold is the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck
USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold is the latest Pac-12 quarterback to merit conversation as the top overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Sam Darnold was once an afterthought on the recruiting trail where for a long time his best offer was from Northwestern. Darnold continued to work on his game and get better and earned his scholarship offer to USC where people wondered why he’d go there when five-star commit Ricky Town was supposed to be the man.
A funny thing happened along the way, and Darnold kept getting better and better and Town transferred and Darnold took over the starting job from another former five-star recruit Max Browne as a redshirt freshman.
Darnold showed off some special traits in his first year on the field and led a comeback against Penn State in the Rose Bowl to generate Heisman and No. 1 overall pick hype.
His sophomore season fell short of the Heisman and the College Football Playoff, but his play and his potential is still warranting consideration for the top pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Below, you’ll see what I think Darnold brings to the NFL team that picks him and where he may be drafted.
Sam Darnold, Quarterback, USC
Darnold is the top quarterback in the draft and my top quarterback to enter the league since Andrew Luck. The 6-3, 220-pound Darnold checks all the boxes.
He was productive in college, avoided injury, played well in big games, moves well in the pocket and excels using his feet to buy time.
I loved the competitiveness he brings to the position and the game and that’s the former high school linebacker in him. He has zero character concerns and was a leader who teammates rallied behind. However you want to define it, Darnold has the “it” factor” and will be the face of a franchise for a decade-plus, provided he’s able to stay healthy.
He’s not without his flaws, as he needs to refine his footwork which can get sloppy at times. He has a big of a longer delivery than some may like, but that can be tightened up with his position coach, but I don’t think it’s anything to be concerned about. What is concerning was his interception and fumble totals.
Now, Matt Ryan and Jameis Winston struggled with turnovers too, but I think some of these turnovers were a case of Darnold trying to do too much for his team. I think these are correctable flaws or tendencies in his game, but it won’t be fixed overnight.
Overall, Darnold has the potential to one of the two or three best quarterbacks in the league in his prime.
Draft Projection: No. 1 pick.