2018 NFL Draft: Key strengths and weaknesses for Sam Darnold

Weakness: Ball Security

The USC Trojans witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly with quarterback Sam Darnold. After taking care of the ball as a redshirt freshman, the issue that Darnold struggled most with as a sophomore became ball security.

Whether it’s throwing an interception or failing to protect the ball when he scrambles, Darnold has a tendency to take chances that he shouldn’t be taking.

Darnold threw 13 interceptions during his sophomore season, which has inevitably caused some to question his NFL readiness. Beyond the numbers, he tested his limits as a thrower by too often forcing throws into tight coverage.

As previously alluded to: Doing so situationally is what makes a quarterback great, but doing it too often is what makes a quarterback—and more importantly, a team—vulnerable.

In addition to needing to make better decisions as a passer, Darnold must be more responsible when he’s holding the ball. He keeps the ball loosely protected, which creates the possibility of a strip sack or a forced fumble when he tuck it and runs.

These are all correctable flaws, but Darnold is the only one who can control the decisions he makes on the field. Thus far, his decision-making has been questionable.