2018 NFL Draft: Key strengths and weaknesses for Sam Darnold

Strength: Being Clutch

This may sound like a contradictory statement, but the turnovers don’t change that Sam Darnold displays impressive poise under pressure. He’ll need to limit the chances he takes as a passer, but in the face of adversity, he tends to rise to the occasion.

There are clear examples of him rushing throws, but the raw talent and veteran poise are undeniable—and that’s what makes his untapped potential such an intriguing NFL Draft asset.

Darnold isn’t afraid to make throws in the face of pressure, which is a more difficult trait to find in a quarterback than one might presume. He has a tendency to rush throws, but that’s more a product of his overeagerness than his fear when a lineman is closing in on him.

Darnold can stand tall in the pocket and get the ball where it needs to be, regardless of what the pocket around him is shaping up to be.

Furthermore, one of the primary reasons Darnold became a household name were his performances on big stages. He may have struggled in the 2018 Cotton Bowl, but he had an unforgettable performance in the 2017 Rose Bowl, and routinely stepped up in the clutch for USC.

No one will have a 100 percent success rate during the big moments, but Darnold has more than enough strong showings to imply that he’s built for the grandest stage.

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The question is: Where will Sam Darnold land at the 2018 NFL Draft?