Fansided
Fansided

2018 NFL Draft: Ranking the top five eligible quarterback prospects

By Sayre Bedinger

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl on November 11, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins looks to pass during the first half of a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl on November 11, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
BOULDER, CO – NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans throws against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on November 11, 2017 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
BOULDER, CO – NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans throws against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on November 11, 2017 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

1. Sam Darnold, USC

Sam Darnold.

After an offseason filled with huge expectations and rumors of NFL teams even tanking for this kid, Darnold let everyone down just a bit, to be quite honest.

Over the first five or six games of the season, Darnold was a little too careless with the football, and as a result, his stock dropped considerably.

There have been reports that Darnold is leaning towards staying in school another year, and that still wouldn’t surprise me to see. This is a young man that feels like he owes it to the history of the USC program to bring a title to the school, and I admire that.

At the same time, I think there is some concern on the part of Darnold that he will give up on the change to play another year for USC and get drafted by the Cleveland Browns.

It’s hard to blame him.

As a prospect, Darnold has every physical tool you look for in a quarterback. He’s got the arm strength, the natural playmaking ability, and the football IQ to be a great player at the next level. Most of all, I think with what we’ve seen from Darnold to this point, he has arguably the highest ceiling of any quarterback in this class to be the next ‘Rodgers’ type of player.

Everything in this year’s draft is subject to change, as far as the order of picks and what teams will be in on quarterbacks, but Darnold may not see a better opportunity than the one that is potentially being presented with teams like the Giants and Broncos picking in the top 10 of this year’s draft.

Darnold is just 20 years old, which is both a reason to pump the brakes a bit on him as well as a reason to really appreciate how far he has come so quickly as the quarterback of the USC Trojans.

There are some dated, unfair stigmas about USC quarterbacks, but you can’t evaluate a player based on where he plays, you have to evaluate the player himself.

Darnold has the ability to blow you away on the field already at such a young age, but he’s also a very mature young man off the field.

The way we’ve seen Darnold respond this year in terms of making in-season adjustments on decision-making with the football and not only that, but going on a stretch of game with multiple touchdown passes as well as winning some big games, this guy has proven to me that he’s for real.

One thing about Darnold to me — he makes big plays in big situations. That clutch factor and ability to rise to the occasion can’t be understated. He’s got moxie, he’s got size, he’s got talent…

He’s my top quarterback for the 2018 NFL Draft — if he declares.

Projection: Top 5

Home/NFL Draft