A couple of weeks ago, it seemed like a destiny thing -- the New York Jets and Sam Darnold. The Jets were losing games and Darnold was on his way to becoming the golden boy of college football, setting up the ideal marriage next spring in the NFL draft. Now, Neither side is sticking to the script. The Jets (2-2) are exceeding expectations and Darnold -- and the other top quarterback prospects -- are falling short. This is why they play the games. Maybe the New York Giants (0-4) should start a "Suck for Sam" campaign. They're one of eight teams with a worse record than the Jets. Recent history suggests the Jets have blown their shot. Nine of the past 10 teams with the No. 1 overall pick won two games or fewer in the previous season.
These QB prospect usually flame out between the time they hit draft rankings to the time they are out of eligibility. Remember Tank for Teddy?
Recent history suggests that projecting QB prospects a year in advance is stupid. See Hackenberg, Christian. http://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft20...-tops-way-too-early-2016-mock-draft-nfl-draft
per Greg Gabriel (30 year NFL Scout, 9 years as scouting director with the Bears) "Keep hearing from scouts who've made USC school calls that Darnold is going to stay in school"
Teddy was a good QB prior to injury and was breaking out before the freak accident. Also Derek Carr ...
If he keeps playing the way he's been, it would be a good decision. And, not that I prefer Darnold over Rosen by any means, but for those who love Darnold, given our sudden "run for the SB" which will likely take us out of the running for Rosen, maybe he take Barkley this year, and then Darnold next.
I wouldn't say he "sucks", but he's definitely not the best QB out there. But given another year, he might well become what everyone claims he is now.
I think his point is that Bridgewater ended up getting drafted at the end of the first round, whereas prior to his final season folks were projecting him as a top 3-5 pick. Thus, no need to tank when a good QB prospect can be found anywhere in the first round. Watson went at 12 this year... https://fansided.com/2013/09/19/tank-teddy-bridgewater-talk-grows-trent-richardson-trade/
So did JaMarcus Russell. Good players a team all positions can be found anywhere in the draft. So can bad players. Player development can be a key factor. Darnold will stay in school. He will compete for a Heisman next year and soak himself in Southern California pussy for another year.
He's a solid prospect, but he is no where near the hype and he's closer to Blake Bortles as a prospect than he has ever been to Luck or the other top quarterbacks to come out as of late. His footwork and inability to reset in the pocket consistently is an issue that continues to persist and we've seen him struggle under pressure the last two games. His arm itself is fairly mediocre as well. If Darnold didn't play for USC or have that rose bowl performance, no would have been calling him the next generational star QB.
