The Sam Darnold draft class remains one of the most talked-about quarterback groups in recent NFL history. When the 2018 NFL Draft arrived, teams believed they were looking at several future franchise quarterbacks. Many experts called it one of the strongest quarterback classes in years.
Sam Darnold entered the draft as one of the biggest names available. His college success, arm talent, and leadership made him a top prospect. The New York Jets selected him with the third overall pick, hoping he would become the face of the franchise for the next decade.
Years later, fans still look back at the Sam Darnold draft class to see which quarterbacks lived up to expectations and which ones failed to reach their potential. Some players became stars, while others faced challenges that changed the direction of their careers.
In this article, we’ll take a deep look at the Sam Darnold draft class, why it generated so much excitement, and where its top quarterbacks stand today.
Why the Sam Darnold Draft Class Was So Highly Rated
The 2018 NFL Draft featured several quarterback prospects who were viewed as future NFL starters. Teams searching for a franchise quarterback had plenty of options.
Scouts were impressed by the group’s combination of arm strength, mobility, football intelligence, and college production. Because of this, quarterbacks dominated the top part of the draft.
The first round included:
- Baker Mayfield
- Sam Darnold
- Josh Allen
- Josh Rosen
- Lamar Jackson
It was rare to see five quarterbacks selected in the first round with so much hype surrounding them.
Among them, Sam Darnold was often considered one of the safest prospects available.
Sam Darnold’s Journey to the NFL
Before joining the NFL, Sam Darnold played college football at the University of Southern California, commonly known as USC.
Darnold quickly became one of the nation’s top quarterbacks. During his time at USC, he showed:
- Strong arm talent
- Good pocket awareness
- Ability to make plays under pressure
- Leadership qualities
His success against top college competition helped him climb draft boards.
Many analysts believed Darnold had the tools needed to become a long-term NFL starter. Some even viewed him as the best quarterback in the entire class.
As draft day approached, several teams reportedly considered selecting him with the first overall pick.
Where Was Sam Darnold Drafted?
The New York Jets selected Sam Darnold with the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
The Jets traded up before the draft to secure a top selection because they were determined to find their franchise quarterback.
At only 20 years old, Darnold became one of the youngest quarterbacks ever drafted in the first round.
The expectation was clear: the Jets wanted Darnold to lead the team for years to come.
However, things did not go exactly as planned.
How Sam Darnold Performed with the Jets
Darnold showed flashes of talent during his time in New York.
He displayed:
- Strong passing ability
- Athletic movement in the pocket
- Toughness under pressure
Unfortunately, several factors made development difficult.
The Jets struggled with:
- Offensive line issues
- Coaching changes
- Lack of offensive consistency
- Injuries
Because of these challenges, Darnold never fully established himself as a franchise quarterback in New York.
After three seasons, the organization decided to move in a different direction.
Comparing Sam Darnold to Other Quarterbacks in the 2018 Draft Class
To understand the Sam Darnold draft class, it is important to compare him with the other quarterbacks selected in the first round.
Baker Mayfield
The Cleveland Browns selected Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick.
Mayfield had an impressive rookie season and eventually helped Cleveland end a long playoff drought.
While his career has included ups and downs, he has remained a starting-caliber quarterback and has revived his career after changing teams.
Josh Allen
Josh Allen became the biggest success story from the draft class.
Selected seventh overall by the Buffalo Bills, Allen developed into one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.
His combination of arm strength, athleticism, and leadership transformed Buffalo into a championship contender.
Many analysts now consider Allen the best quarterback from the 2018 draft.
Josh Rosen
Josh Rosen entered the NFL with high expectations after being selected tenth overall.
However, he struggled to secure a long-term starting role.
Multiple team changes and inconsistent performances prevented him from establishing himself in the league.
Among the first-round quarterbacks, Rosen experienced the most difficult NFL journey.
Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson was selected with the final pick of the first round by the Baltimore Ravens.
Some teams questioned whether his playing style would succeed in the NFL.
Those concerns quickly disappeared.
Jackson became one of the league’s most exciting players and won the NFL MVP award. His success proved many pre-draft critics wrong.
How the Sam Darnold Draft Class Changed NFL History
The Sam Darnold draft class continues to shape today’s NFL.
Several teams found long-term solutions at quarterback, while others were forced to restart their search.
The class produced:
- Multiple Pro Bowl players
- MVP-level performances
- Playoff victories
- Franchise-changing quarterbacks
At the same time, it also reminded teams how difficult quarterback evaluation can be.
Even highly rated prospects can face unexpected challenges once they enter the NFL.
What Went Wrong for Sam Darnold Early in His Career?
Many football analysts believe Darnold’s early struggles were not entirely his fault.
Young quarterbacks often need:
- Stable coaching
- Strong offensive lines
- Reliable playmakers
- Consistent development
Darnold rarely had all of those advantages during his first NFL seasons.
Instead, he faced constant change around him.
While he made mistakes, many observers believe his environment slowed his development.
This is one reason the Sam Darnold draft class remains such an interesting topic. It highlights how important team situations can be for quarterback success.
Sam Darnold’s Career After Leaving the Jets
After leaving New York, Darnold continued searching for a fresh start.
He spent time with different organizations and gained valuable experience in new systems.
These opportunities allowed him to work with different coaches and improve various aspects of his game.
As he matured, many analysts noticed improvements in:
- Decision-making
- Accuracy
- Pocket awareness
- Leadership
Although his path differed from expectations on draft night, Darnold continued working to prove he belonged in the NFL.
Who Has Had the Best Career from the 2018 Draft Class?
When discussing the Sam Darnold draft class, one question always comes up:
Who has had the best NFL career?
Most experts point to Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.
Allen developed into one of football’s most complete quarterbacks, while Jackson became one of the most dynamic players the league has ever seen.
Both players have consistently performed at an elite level and led their teams deep into the postseason.
Their success helped make the 2018 quarterback class one of the most memorable groups in recent history.
Was Sam Darnold a Draft Bust?
The term “draft bust” is often used too quickly.
While Darnold did not immediately become the superstar many expected, his NFL journey is more complicated than that label suggests.
He entered the league at a very young age and faced difficult circumstances.
Many quarterbacks would struggle under similar conditions.
Instead of leaving the league, Darnold continued developing and earning opportunities.
Because of this, many analysts prefer to view his career as a story of unrealized early expectations rather than a complete failure.
Lessons from the Sam Darnold Draft Class
The Sam Darnold draft class teaches several important lessons.
First, quarterback development takes time.
Second, talent alone does not guarantee success.
Third, coaching, roster quality, and organizational stability matter more than many fans realize.
The careers of Allen, Jackson, Mayfield, Rosen, and Darnold all demonstrate how different paths can emerge from the same draft class.
Final Thoughts
The Sam Darnold draft class remains one of the most fascinating quarterback groups in NFL history. Entering the league with enormous expectations, Darnold was viewed as a future franchise star. While his journey has not followed the path many predicted, his story continues to evolve.
More importantly, the 2018 draft produced a mix of MVP winners, playoff quarterbacks, comeback stories, and valuable lessons about player development.
Years later, football fans still debate the Sam Darnold draft class because it perfectly shows how unpredictable the NFL can be. Draft night may create expectations, but careers are ultimately shaped by talent, opportunity, coaching, and perseverance.
