2018 NFL Draft: Key strengths and weaknesses for Sam Darnold

Strength: Ball Placement

Throwing into coverage is something that winning coaches prefer their quarterbacks refrain from doing. It may lead to gaudy statistics, but it’s a high-risk, high-reward type of approach to the game if it’s your primary method of offensive execution.

When it comes down to the final stretch of a game, however, it’s on the quarterback to be able to fit the ball into tight windows—and Sam Darnold can do exactly that.

There may not have been a better quarterback in the country at making throws into the back of the end zone than Darnold. He has an uncanny ability to go over the top of a defense in a tight spot, yet still put the ball in a position where his receivers can make a realistic play on the ball.

With the ability to make accurate throws at all three levels, Darnold should be easy to plug into whichever system he’s placed in—and would have elite potential in a West Coast offense.

Furthermore, Darnold is one of the best in this draft class at making accurate throws on the run. It’s a difficult strength to master, but in the modern NFL, that type of mobility and accuracy outside the pocket is nothing short of crucial.

Darnold may not have the rifle of Dan Marino, but the accuracy of his throws is what most intrigues scouts—and it stands to reason that it should translate to the NFL.