2) Sam Darnold, USC
6-foot-4, 220 pounds
Analysis: He’s got a strong arm and has no problem anticipating throws. When a play breaks down, he can move out of the pocket and extend it with his mobility. Even though he is only considered a sophomore, he played in many big games while leading the Trojans, so the pressures of being an NFL quarterback may not wear on him as much as it may on others.
The negatives include the fact his throwing motion is elongated, and that he has struggled reading coverages. I believe both of those things can be fixed quickly with proper coaching. Fixing his mechanics may be the reason he opted out of throwing at the combine, but that is just speculation.
Overall, I believe will be a guy that takes chances in crunch time. He will take some losses but will ultimately win a ton of games. His ability to lead will help with the transition to the NFL.
Pro Comparison: Tony Romo
Projected landing spot: Cleveland Browns
Darnold will have to deal with the quarterback purgatory known as Cleveland. The addition of Tyrod Taylor makes the quarterback room a bit crowded for the rookie quarterback. Sitting early could help him develop faster, although I believe he could be successful from day one.