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2018 NFL Draft: Josh Allen battling Sam Darnold for the top QB spot

By Shawn Spencer

Mar 7, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during spring practice at Howard Jones Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during spring practice at Howard Jones Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2017 NFL Draft is over and the focus now turns to the 2018 NFL Draft.

Seemingly every year at this time, quarterbacks dominate the top of the draft board. The same is true about next year’s class with Josh Allen of Wyoming and Sam Darnold of USC apparently in a two-man race to be the first overall pick.

Even though a source told Adam Schefter that Josh Allen was a lock to be the top pick and many early mock drafts have Sam Darnold going number one, a lot can change over the next 11 months.

At this time last year, Deshaun Watson and Brad Kaaya were considered the top two quarterback prospects. They ended up being the third and ninth passers off the board. In the preseason leading up to the 2016 draft, which saw Jared Goff and Carson Wentz go first and second overall, Connor Cook and Cardale Jones were the top-rated quarterbacks. While Allen and Darnold are currently being anointed as franchise saviors, in reality, one or both likely won’t be anywhere near the top of the 2018 NFL Draft board next April.

When studying Allen and Darnold, it’s very clear the two win in different ways. Darnold is more of a traditional pocket passer with elite poise in the pocket. Allen on the other hand, is the gunslinger who lives and dies by his arm strength. So which quarterback is the better prospect? Here’s a look at what both players can do on the field to help a franchise at the next level.

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