2018 NFL Draft: Key strengths and weaknesses for Sam Darnold

Strength: Physical Gifts

The 2018 NFL Draft features a number of quarterbacks with intriguing physical gifts. Between powerful arms, agile hips, and explosive feet, there’s no shortage of promising talent in what’s shaping up to be an intriguing draft class.

What separates Sam Darnold from the pack, however, is that he may be the most difficult quarterback to bring down in the pocket—and he’s still growing into his body.

Darnold is listed at 6’4″ and 220 pounds, and it stands to reason that the 20-year-old will continue to add muscle to his frame. Even at his current size stature, he’s a difficult player to bring down due to his unique combination of size, strength, and elusiveness.

While Darnold is far from an explosive athlete, he has the mobility to work outside the pocket, the craftiness to escape a tackler’s grasp, and the speed to pick up a first down with his feet.

Furthermore, while Darnold may not have the most powerful arm in this draft class, he can make all of the throws. He puts the ball where it needs to be and gets enough strength behind his passes to avoid throwing ducks.

Between his size, mobility, toughness, and ability to throw on the run, there are clear on-field similarities to Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.