Sam Darnold and the New York Jets: A Madden Simulation

USC’s Sam Darnold is one of many elite quarterbacks stacked in the 2018 NFL Draft class. First, we test his impact on the New York Jets.

USC quarterback Sam Darnold’s draft stock has fluctuated quite a bit over the past several months. For a quick minute, Darnold seemed to be the sure-fire choice to go first overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Now, alongside a myriad of other quarterbacks, Darnold could fall as pretty far down the board.

In case you did not see our Josh Rosen on the Cleveland Browns piece posted Tuesday, we are starting a serious in which we simulate both the LA quarterbacks on various NFL teams. Of course, we are using Madden 18 to perform the simulation. We are starting with Darnold on the Jets; the Jets have the sixth overall selection in the draft.

Sam Darnold’s stats: 4,176 yards, 61% completion, 26 touchdowns, 17 interceptions

New York Jets record: 4-12

Sam Darnold was not that much of an improvement from Josh McCown at the quarterback position, in terms of wins. However, with McCown set to be a free agent, and father time battling him, the Jets are going to have to find a replacement.

Christian Hackenberg certainly is not ready. While there are existing options (such as Kirk Cousins) I don’t see the Jets going anywhere aside from the draft to get their new quarterback. They have juggled mediocre quarterbacks for years now, they want youth.

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However, this simulation is not the most promising image for Sam Darnold, who very well may be the best remaining quarterback available alongside Baker Mayfield. Assuming the Browns take Josh Allen and the Broncos take Josh Rosen, the Jets are left between Darnold and Mayfield.

While a Madden simulation will do nothing to influence their decision, it is interesting to see Darnold put up worse stats than Rosen and produce worse results on a better team. Although the stat difference was not drastically different (not even different enough to conclude who is better), the record is two games different.

Darnold won one less game quarterbacking the Jets than they did last year. Rosen, came out six games positive and two games better than Darnold and the Jets.

Next: Ronald Jones II scouting report

With all things considered, this is not a bad rookie season for Sam Darnold on the New York Jets. It statistically is a lot better than any recent Jets quarterback. However, it makes you wonder, are the Jets better off chasing Baker Mayfield? We will see.