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NFL Grades: Report card for each QB after four games

By Erik Lambert

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a touchdown against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 30: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets walks following the Jets defeat against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 30, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 30: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets walks following the Jets defeat against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 30, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

Sam Darnold (New York Jets): C

This was never the plan for New York, but Sam Darnold is the starter for the foreseeable future in New York. After beating out Josh McCown and seeing Teddy Bridgewater be traded to New Orleans Darnold has been the captain of the Jets season. He came out with an impressive debut on Monday Night Football against the Detroit Lions, throwing two touchdowns and nearly 200 yards.

The following week he threw up 334 yards with two picks, and his two most recent performances don’t look great on paper. He’s 32nd among 34 qualifying quarterbacks with a 57.5% completion percentage, and ProFootball Focus (subscription only) have charged only five drops to Jets receivers this year.

PFF also timed Darnold with one of the highest time in pocket averages in the league at 2.75 seconds, fifth behind Watson, Foles, Allen, and Prescott.

Expectations were never high for the Jets, and a 1-3 start shouldn’t be surprising given the talent around Darnold. They’ve set a solid core on both sides of the ball to grow with, and Darnold should be the face of the franchise for at least the next decade. He’ll need upgrades at wide receiver over Terrelle Pryor, Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse, and Quincy Enunwa.

Hopefully, for the sake of Darnold and his development, the Jets follow Philadelphia’s model of building around a quarterback in year two and add some veteran playmakers in the draft and free agency.

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