The New York Jets drafted Sam Darnold with the 3rd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Most experts didn’t expect the Jets to have a shot at the USC quarterback with the 3rd pick, but when the Cleveland Browns drafted Baker Mayfield with the 1st pick the odds were in the Jets favor as the New York Giants drafted Saquon Barkley with the 2nd pick.
Darnold impressed during the preseason so much so that the Jets traded Teddy Bridgewater to the Saints. Bridgewater lit it up during the preseason and showed to the masses he was recovered from his devastating knee injury, but the poised play of the rookie made the higher ups decision easy.
His first regular season game was broadcasted nationally on ESPN and was a part of the Monday Night Football double header. Seems like a spot a rookie could struggle and after his first pass it seemed he was on the struggle path as he threw a pick six in his first attempt. A breakdown of the throw it was a pretty bad mistake he was rolling to his right and threw it all the way to the left side of the field for one of the easiest interceptions known to man (you can only get away with that on Madden).
The rookie finished with a stat line of 16-of-21 passing for 198 yards two touchdowns and one interception. Most importantly the Jets won 48-17 giving the Detroit Lions a pure beat down. Darnold made all the throws you want to see so Jets fans should be excited. We know he is going to go through growing pains, but the days of wishing for a franchise quarterback appear to be over.
Since drafting Mark Sanchez from USC in 2009: (A list of the Jets starting quarterbacks):
Kellen Clemens
Greg McElroy
Geno Smith
Michael Vick
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Bryce Petty
Josh McCown
Of the list Sanchez was decent at times, Vick was old, McCown was serviceable, Fitzpatrick is better as a backup and Smith had bad luck.
Things seem to be different in New York and it is all because of Darnold.
