Sam Darnold Falls to Jets, Ending Long QB Search

The Cleveland Browns did the Jets a big favor. They saved the Jets from themselves. For weeks there was speculation that the Jets would take talented but troubled Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield with the third pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Instead, the Browns took Mayfield first overall, setting up the Jets with a heck of scenario: Sam Darnold or Josh Rosen.

With the third pick, the Jets got their man: Sam Darnold. 

The guy who had the the Sam Darnold jersey at the USC game got his wish, he can keep that jersey.

It is amazing how ironic this moment is for the Jets. Fans were clamoring for the team to "Suck for Sam" throughout the 2017 season, and when the Jets won "too many games" last year, those same fans gave up on the dream. Guess what? The Jets got the guy they wanted after all.

While Darnold is still very young, he's only 20-years old. He had a very solid two-year career at USC. His first season in 2016 was much better than his sophomore year, but the guy still threw 57 touchdowns to 22 interceptions. He has the size, strength, arm power and attitude to succeed in New York.

The one knock on him is the turnovers. Darnold turned the ball over 22 times last year, (13 INTs, 9 fumbles). The Jets have to work closely with him to get him to stop turning the ball over. As many noted quarterbacks like Matt Ryan and Russell Wilson were turnover prone in college and turned into MVP-caliber players at the position.

Keep the jersey, kid. It's worth something now.

In short, this is not Mark Sanchez. Darnold had a much more productive career at USC than Sanchez had, with a greater ceiling. Darnold has drawn comparisons to Andrew Luck and Matt Ryan. Sanchez had bust written all over him when the Jets reached for him with the fifth pick back in 2009.


While the Jets passed on Josh Rosen, who could turn into a good quarterback in Arizona, the Jets made the safest, and most sound pick they could make by taking Darnold. Give Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles credit, they changed the face of their franchise. Darnold gives this team hope. That is something the guys in Green and White haven't felt in a long time.

Now, the question is when should he play? Depending on how Darnold progresses this summer, he probably would be best served sitting for a good chunk of the 2018 season. He gets to learn from Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater which is not a bad thing at all. McCown is a coach in waiting, and will be a great mentor to Darnold.

While the Jets still need help at running back, offensive line, tight end, and pass rush, they have a foundation piece for the future. And that is all Jets fans wished for when the team cut payroll exactly one year ago.

NOTE: The AFC East got very interesting on Thursday when the Buffalo Bills drafted Josh Allen with the seventh pick in the draft. The Jets and Bills are positioning themselves to one day take over the divison when (and if) Tom Brady ever retires in New England. 

Draft Grade: A