Jets expect Sam Darnold to be what Mark Sanchez couldn’t

The New York Jets believe Sam Darnold is the future face of the team, a true franchise quarterback that they’ve lacked for three decades…

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Jets expect Sam Darnold to be what Mark Sanchez couldn’t

Darnold has the look of a long term fixture at QB

The New York Jets believe Sam Darnold is the future face of the team, a true franchise quarterback that they’ve lacked for three decades. With elite production, arm strength & accuracy coupled with strong measureables, Darnold very likely will at the very least be the answer for all Jets fans wishes.

QB Sam Darnold

• Size: 6’3” / 221
• Draft Selection: #3 (2018)
• Depth Chart: QB2 (learning behind/competing with Josh McNown & Teddy Bridgewater)
• ’18 Outlook: QB3+ (QB1 once he gets starting nod)
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samdarnold/
• NFL Comparison: Brett Favre

Outlook: The Jets thought they had solved their QB quandary with the selection of Mark Sanchez a decade ago, only to then experience the “butt fumble”. You have to go back to the 1980’s with Ken O’Brien to find the last time the Jets had quarterback stability. Dealing a few 2nd round picks this year to move up a few slots to select Sam Darnold was done with a goal to secure quarterback stability and excellence. Surrounded by mediocre offensive weapons and above average veteran quarterbacks to learn from, Darnold won’t be rushed into the lineup. At a young age of just 20 (with only 26 college starts) when drafted, Darnold has all the physical talent, moxie and leadership qualities to succeed. A Brett Favre type of gunslinger, he will need to process coverages faster, improve ball security and consistently make higher percentage decisions. He has all the ingredients to solve the Jets quarterback quandary for the next decade, however, he likely won’t see the field until ’19 as Josh McCown (or possibly Teddy Bridgewater) hold down the job in ‘18.

Opportunity: The NY Jets skill position talent is mediocre at best with no established performers and many question marks. Robby Anderson (WR29), Bilal Powell (RB51), Jermaine Kearse (WR65), Quincy Enunwa (WR72), Terrell Pryor (WR82), Ardaris Stewart (WR92) and Chad Hanson (WR96) round out the rotation of receiving options. While these aren’t household names, Anderson and Kearse were surprisingly effective last year at moving the chains. Powell has always been a strong outlet from the backfield and Enunwa, Anderson & Hanson offer up young upside to emerge.

Long-term: If Darnold can refine his decision making and the Jets can develop/add dynamic weapons around him, he has the natural ability to be a star, a sure-fire franchise quarterback that puts the Jets in the perennial super bowl contender conversation. Darnold has an average athletic profile, but tremendous arm accuracy, pocket awareness and the willingness to put his playmakers in positions to succeed. It’ll take a few years but the odds are high that Darnold solves the Jets biggest question mark.