New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) with pressure from Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (90). The Jets defeat the Browns, 23-16, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford. Nyj Vs Cle
Around this time in 2018, Sam Darnold was widely thought to be the presumptive starter for the Cleveland Browns as the future No. 1 overall selection.
Coming out of USC, Darnold was labeled as the most pro-ready quarterback of the field consisting of Baker Mayfield, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson.
NFL reporter Benjamin Albright even tweeted, “It’s Darnold” just two days before the Browns selected Mayfield No.