A little late in the game for this, but since there is at least one somewhat speculated scenario where this even becomes an issue for the Jets (personally I don't think it will), here is a Darnold / Mayfield pros and cons discussion. I think the best starting point for this discussion is the common opponent from the past year, as there is no closer way to gauge two players going against the same competition: I'll say this for Darnold, when he makes a nice throw, it is brilliant. That said, if he were turning the ball over like he does here, it will drive this fan base insane as we've seen this story before. The pick 6 was awful, and unacceptable in the pros. Mayfield is quiet in the first half. Makes a couple of nice throws late in the third quarter, and shows good field vision at beginning of 4th. At the end of the day, he doesn't flash the way Darnold does, but he also doesn't make mistakes like Darnold does. Despite his erratic personality, his on field personality is the opposite: steady and low on mistakes.
I think the best starting point for this discussion is: "nice avatar bro!" Or another way to look at it: what happens to your avatar if the Jets don't draft Mayfield? ...will that potentially end up as just a one-week rental? : ) Since the premise of this thread's supoosedly an apples-to-apples comparison between the two against a common foe, that also assumes a common denominator talent-wise between the two teams (USC & OKLA) which was clearly not the case in 2017. Mayfield's OL was not the overhauled mess that USC's was, an OL that had Darnold getting hit over 20x and sacked 8x vs. OSU. Darnold did miss a pre-snap read on the pick-6; he also threw for over 350 yards (not counting drops) behind an overwhelmed sieve of an OL (USC went into the OSU game as significant underdogs). And for what it's worth and in spite of Mayfield's Heisman season, Mayfield did lose to Iowa State, a game in which they were 31 point favorites. 31. Love the avatar but judging Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold individually as standalone talents, Baker Mayfield imho is not Sam Darnold. .
Avatar is pre draft preference. It is going away after the draft, even if Mayfield is the pick. In terms of talent around them, while I hear you, the major plays to be looked at this game really are more about the individuals than their surrounding talent. Darnold didn't throw the pick 6 because of a breakdown around him, and same with the fumbles, and same with the frozen ropes too. I agree, Mayfield is not Darnold, and neither is Darnold Mayfield.
This is an underrated quality in him imo. He rarely seems to force the issue in the heat of battle, even under duress. That's poise, awareness, and intelligence, and understanding game situations. That is easier said than done, and almost rare. He does not turn the ball over by INT, or fumble. He lives to fight another series
Darnold has more upside, but the turnovers and the throwing motion are a concern. Mayfield has produced in college, but can he fit throws into tight windows on a regular basis? Also, he can't get away with certain antics in the NYC media market. Rosen remains my top QB.
If 2 Quarterbacks are taken #1 and #2, here is how I would pick if I was the Jets: Darnold vs. Rosen= DARNOLD Darnold vs. Mayfield= DARNOLD Darnold vs. Allen= DARNOLD Rosen vs. Mayfield= ROSEN (toss up) Rosen vs. Allen= ROSEN Mayfield vs. Allen= MAYFIELD
This might be a matter of him being older and wiser (football-wise). Mayfiled is 24, Darnold 20; MAyfiled played 4 years; Darnold 1 and a half. Experience counts.
It does. But some guys can't get there. We've seen plenty of that. He already has. It's much easier said than done.
Mayfield to the Jets is either the biggest smokescreen in the history of smokescreens or our front office has major leeks. They have us taking Mayfield everywhere even on the official website