2018 NFL Draft: USC’s Sam Darnold deserves to be the first quarterback drafted
Sam Darnold will be the first quarterback selected in a rather deep class. Find out why he’s the front-runner at the quarterback position in the 2018 NFL Draft.
More: 2018 NFL Draft preview, player profiles and latest mock drafts
Sam Darnold will be the first quarterback drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. The former Southern California Trojan has the NFL size, arm strength, and personality to handle the spotlight. Darnold came to USC as a four-star dual threat quarterback from San Clemente, CA. Darnold, who is 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, possesses the height and durable weight to withstand the rigors of a 16 game NFL regular season.
In only two seasons as the Trojans starter, Darnold threw for 7,229 yards and 56 touchdowns with 22 interceptions. Darnold completed 64.9 percent of his passes with a yards per attempt average of 8.5 which is the cream of the crop.
Darnold guided USC through a strange time as the starter. He became Clay Helton‘s starting quarterback after a blowout against the Alabama Crimson Tide and proceeded to finish 2016 with a 9-1 record after the Trojans started the season 1-2 with Max Browne at quarterback. Darnold then guided the Trojans to a 11-3 record in 2017. Darnold was a Heisman Trophy candidate and had a solid redshirt sophomore season.
Strengths
Darnold’s strengths are physically apparent in his imposing stature. Darnold posted a 4.85 in the 40-yard dash which is acceptable for a pocket passing pro style quarterback. He also ran a 4.40 20-yard shuttle showing he has some cut ability and that will help him move in the pocket to avoid pressure.
Playing his college football in Los Angeles, CA and having famous family members Darnold is used to the spotlight. His grandfather is the Marlboro Man and an Olympian. Darnold’s sister is a college Volleyball player at Rhode Island.
Darnold has a strong arm, pocket awareness, and the mental ability to process information quickly and make the right throw. Those are all qualities NFL GM’s and head coaches will drool over on draft day.
Weaknesses
Darnold’s biggest weakness is the amount of interceptions he threw in his career. Many feel he may not have lived up to the pre-season hype at USC and 22 interceptions is a high number for only less than two full seasons of starting quarterback play. Darnold started 24 games, which is just shy of an interception per start. Darnold, unlike Josh Allen, was surrounded by NFL caliber talent at USC and unlike Josh Rosen had a consistent presence in the coaches’ office.
Next: Latest first round NFL Mock Draft post Combine
Draft Expectations
I project Darnold as the second overall selection to the New York Giants. With the Giants, Darnold can sit for a season or two behind Eli Manning and learn not only how to play the quarterback position in the NFL but also how to command a locker room and a huddle. The NFL is drastically different than college football and a two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback from a famous family can show Darnold the ropes, ala the Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre relationship in Green Bay- but hopefully a little more understanding of the situation.