NFL Draft Winners and Losers: Sam Darnold/Josh Rosen Edition

Day one of the 2018 NFL Draft and the LA quarterbacks have their homes; Sam Darnold is a New York Jet and Josh Rosen is an Arizona Cardinal.

The Sam Darnold-Josh Rosen debate went from Los Angeles to Dallas as both players were drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. Where each was going was art of the debate, as well as their skill set, and unfortunately even their temperment.

Was Rosen to outspoken for the conservative NFL, was Darnold to unrefined to lead a franchise. Who would get chosen first and what their NFL career would look like, most likely woulfd be determined in Dallas.

With the third pick, Sam Darnold was taken by the Jets, as the second quarterback taken in the draft. Meanwhile, Josh Rosen had to wait and was picked as the 10th pick overall by the Arizona Cardinals.

Here are the winners and losers of those two picks.

Winner: Sam Darnold

There was speculation that with the number one pick the Cleveland Browns would be selecting Darnold as they once again found themselves in need of a quarterback. Thankfully for Darnold, the Browns went for Baker Mayfield.

Darnold being on the Jets will now benefit with sitting behind likely starter Josh McCown, given the time to learn the NFL system Darnold won’t have to be the face of the franchise as he would have been in Cleveland.

Being brought along slowly will benefit Darnold especially in front of the bright lights of the New York media, that can be tough on young players.

Winner: Josh Rosen

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Josh Rosen falling out of the top five may hurt his wallet, but it certainly helped his NFL career to fall to the Cardinals at number 10. The Cardinals needed a quarterback with the retirement of Carson Palmer, but the core of a good offense remained.

Rosen will be able to throw to future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald and if he’s covered there’s always all-purpose back David Johnson. Rosen will be helped by a Cardinals defense that was top six in the league in yards.

Rosen was considered by many the most NFL ready, he will now benefit by being on the team who can offer him enough help where it all doesn’t fall on his shoulder.

Losers: Cleveland and Buffalo Fans

This must feel like deja vu for poor Browns and Bills fans. Another draft another quarterback to throw at the wolves. The Browns took Mayfield, which I actually like. Mayfield plays with an edge and can make plays. But who are we kidding it’s the Browns history tells us this won’t end well.

Meanwhile, the Bills took quarterback Josh Allen from Wyoming, who struggled with his accuracy last year. This won’t be helped by the notoriously windy fall and winter weather in Buffalo. Sorry Browns and Bills fans there is a reason you keep picking in the early first round of the draft.

Winners: UCLA Fans

If you miss Josh Rosen guess what UCLA fans it’s just a one-hour plane ride from LAX to Sky Harbor Phoenix International airport. From there just drive up to Glendale, AZ pay “Bootsy” the scalper and you have two choice seats to watch Rosen sling it in the NFL.

Next: Instant reaction to Darnold on the Jets

Losers: Chargers Fans

With four quarterbacks taken the Los Angeles Chargers had a chance to really make a splash with the number 17 pick. The Chargers could have taken Lamar Jackson with that pick and had their quarterback of the future. Instead, the Chargers picked defensive back Derwin James, a solid pick but with Philip Rivers not long for the future, the Chargers might have missed on the best quarterback in the draft.

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