The dilemma with Sam is that sticking with him is just as big a gamble as drafting a new QB or trading for Watson. Sam didn't just under perform; he was statistically the worst starting QB in the league this past year. We don't know if we're sitting on hidden talent with him any more than we do with any of the rookie QBs not named Trevor.
Teams do not trade first round picks on speculation that a guy who has three years of bad NFL game tape will suddenly figure it out after they trade for him, even in a better situation. Ryan Tannehill had six years of better game film and was traded with a sixth round pick for a fourth and a seventh.
Yep. Well said. This is 100% right and my main reason for thinking the Jets have to move on from Sam. It's truly a different situation with Sam since it is universally agreed upon that the Jets have been handled horribly since Sam entered the league. The GM that drafted him was fired. He has gone through 2 head coaches, who most consider to be terrible. His roster around him has been horrendous. So all it takes is one General Manager to see all of that and believe they have the Head Coach and they have the better roster to get the most out of Sam. I think they are out there and will be willing to part with a 1st or 2nd round pick.
Right. And when you go through multiple head coaches and coordinators you're usually part of the problem. Alex Smith was traded for a second round pick. Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota were allowed to walk. Josh Rosen (with three years left on a rookie deal) was traded for a second round pick. Teddy Bridgewater was traded for a third round pick. The list goes on. NFL general managers aren't out there gambling away their top draft pick on a guy like Darnold when there's ten better options available as free agency opens.
What would you do if the Patriots traded down with Jacksonville, getting the 25 and a few more picks for the 15, and then offered us the 25 for Darnold? I'd say no.
The Patriots are so devoid of talent right now that I'd do it and tip my cap to them if they turn him into a serviceable player. They have no receivers, an old secondary, average at best linebackers (even if Hightower returns - great but old), and a decent defensive line and OK offensive line that can't pass block.
The problem is he was not very good in 2018, or 2019. Better than 2020 but he was 28th or lower-ranked qb in all three seasons as a pro. Can he turn it around, Maybe. The guy has almost as many career turnovers, lost fumbles and ints. as touchdowns. Three yrs of data. Maybe Sam needs a new place. However we need to view him for what he is. If the shoe was on the other foot, what would you trade for Sam if we were interested in Sam? The guy seems to miss games, turnover machine dating back to college, If we traded a 4th for Sam people would be going insane on this site,
That is a good point and a good question. The Jets themselves are not in a position to make a risky trade for a QB like Sam right now, so you can't really put them in that situation. You need to be a team with a good offensive Head Coach, and a pretty good roster and also not a lot of better options. I would be willing to deal a late 1st Round pick or a 2nd round pick and take a risk on a 23 year old former #3 overall pick, coming from a terrible situation. That's me though and I seem to be in the minority on this site on that. So yeah, if the shoe was on the other foot, I would be in the same spot in regards to Sam. I would have another option at QB too though and let them compete in training camp.
I actually think it's significantly more risky to stick with him. It wasn't just last year, Darnold has also been the worst starting QB in the NFL if you take the average of his first 3 years. That's quite a lot of evidence that he's bad. I'm not sure Wilson or Fields will be great but I'm pretty sure they won't be the worst in the NFL. And they'll certainly be cheaper than Sam.
A team that's ready to compete like the 49ers, Saints, Football Team and others would likely much prefer to opt for Winston or Fitzpatrick or make a play for the Cousins of the world rather than gamble. If they want to gamble I'd imagine they'd prefer to move up in the draft or take a Trask/Mac Jones type at the end of the first and mold them how they want. Darnold is a rehabilitation project, not a development project.
If a coach like Sean Peyton or Kyle Shanahan like Sam and see his abilities, I think they would be happy to get him. Time will tell.
You need to make a distinction when a a guy like Schefter reports something. Is he reporting his opinion or is he reporting an actual fact. For example, if he reports Watson requested a trade, that is worth listening to. It's some factual information that he got from his sources, and it makes sense to pay attention. However, when he says that in his mind Sam is worth a first round pick, it's clearly not a fact he is reporting. This is not a news of an offer of a 1st round pick to the Jets, which the Jets are considering. It's basically his opinion. That's where you need to look at him not as someone in the know, but someone whose word is worth no more and no less than anyone on this board. If he thinks Sam is worth 1st rounder, and not second like he thought before, because Stafford got traded for essentially first rounder and change (another late first rounder was to offset Goff's terrible contract), he is entitled to his opinion. But this is not in-the-know opinion, but just a wild ass guess, and in my view a pretty bad one.
The only one I could see is New Orleans. Sean Payton loves bringing in QB depth and isn’t afraid to forego draft picks.
