NFL Mock Draft 2018: Complete first round after Week 13
13. . QB. USC. Sam Darnold. 7. player
From L.A. to L.A. Sam Darnold might not even leave his own city to play professional football. It’s been a frustrating season for the Chargers. Quarterback Phillip Rivers is starting to fade and the Chargers’ offense has gone with it. The Bolts now rely on the legs of Melvin Gordon and lack the same spark that was once brought from the Rivers to Antonio Gates connection.
Darnold has reportedly been on the fence about whether he wants to leave school for the draft this season. He need not look further than the example of former USC quarterback Matt Barkley. The projected No. 1 overall pick in 2012, Barkley decided to roll the dice and return to school for his senior season. He fell all the way to the fourth round.
Interceptions have been a problem for Darnold this year. He has room for improvement. However, the potential is there and he has the makings of a prototypical passer if he can get the turnover bug squashed. At this point Darnold will be expected to make the jump to the NFL pending evidence of a change of heart.
The Trojans were off this week, but will play Stanford next weekend in the Pac-12 Championship game. Entering that game, Darnold maintains a 2:1 touchdown to interception ratio which is his biggest knock on his college numbers.