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2018 NFL Draft Rumors: Sam Darnold a virtual lock to go No. 1

By Maxwell Ogden

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans claps during the first half of a game against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans claps during the first half of a game against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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If a recent 2018 NFL Draft rumors holds true, then USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold is a lock to go No. 1 overall this coming April.

Entering Thursday, Mar. 22, the general consensus was that the 2018 NFL Draft didn’t have a clear No. 1 quarterback. Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Josh Rosen are all projected top-10 draft picks, but there wasn’t a harmonious belief about who would be the first field general off the board.

If a recent report is to be believed, then one player has finally separated themselves from the pack as the consensus No. 1 quarterback in this draft class.

Allen has the physical tools and Mayfield has the analytics to support their respective claims for No. 1 status. Darnold and Rosen have managed to emerge as the prioritized quarterbacks, however, albeit with some measure of uncertainty surrounding them.

According to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, the emerging consensus around the NFL is that Darnold will be the No. 1 overall draft pick.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that this will transpire, but Miller is a reputable source who wouldn’t produce such a bold claim without trusted information.

The Cleveland Browns currently possess the No. 1 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. Cleveland is also slated to pick at No. 4, which has created an unsurprising measure of uncertainty and speculation about what it intends to do.

The Browns could conceivably trade down from either of the two spots, but general manager John Dorsey is just as likely to stand his ground and select two potentially elite prospects.

Regardless of which team picks at No. 1, it appears as though Darnold will be the prospect who’s targeted with the top pick.

Darnold finished his two-year college career with 57 passing touchdowns, seven rushing touchdowns, and 22 interceptions. The turnover issues were troubling, but he displayed an uncanny ability to step up in the clutch and deliver big plays in high-pressure moments.

That special trait, along with his NFL-ready frame and his ability to make every throw at all three levels, has reportedly earned Darnold a prestigious honor.

Must Read: Key strengths and weaknesses for Sam Darnold

The question is: Will Sam Darnold be able to justify the status of being the No. 1 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft?

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