In case you haven't noticed this year, the San Francisco 49ers desperately need a franchise quarterback behind center. While it's great they traded for Jimmy Garoppolo, they may not know if he's their long-term guy even if he does get onto the field in the coming weeks.
That's why a Sam Darnold, 49ers marriage might make sense in the 2018 NFL Draft.
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Now that the Brian Hoyer experiment is over in San Francisco, and the Jimmy G. era has yet to begin, 49ers' fans have a few reasons to hope their squad takes a chance on the USC QB next year should he declare for the draft.
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Sam Darnold Stats
Although his completion percentage is down a bit from last year, it's still over 5% higher than Hoyer's. Perhaps more impressive are Darnold's completions, yards, and touchdowns, good for 7th, 8th, and 12th respectively in the FBS.
One thing he needs to cut down on, however, are the turnovers. Interceptions and fumbles have plagued the sophomore, although to be fair he's often lined up behind a patchwork offensive line.
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Do You Believe the Rumors?
According to Matt Miller, draft analyst at Bleacher Report, San Francisco may already have a thing for the USC signal-caller.
"My sources in San Francisco say the team loves Sam Darnold. The USC redshirt sophomore has struggled at times this year with a diminished supporting cast and by putting too much pressure on himself to make plays that have led to turnovers.
The talent that made him a top prospect over the summer is still there, though. Darnold's poise, football IQ, accuracy and mobility would be a perfect match for the Shanahan offense. And while Darnold's lack of arm strength might be a concern in Cleveland or Buffalo, the California kid would be right at home in Santa Clara."
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Size is Why Sam Darnold, 49ers' Marriage Makes Sense
The 49ers' running game has been nearly absent all year with Carlos Hyde's paltry 494 yards currently leading the team, and quarterbacks have been sacked a whopping 32 times through just nine games.
This is all to say that Darnold's 6-foot-4, 222-pound frame could come in handy as the club looks to shore up the offensive line over the next few years. No doubt he would be taking plenty of physical lumps as the team rebuilds.
Now 49ers' fans just have to hope they finish the season in front of Cleveland to make sure the Browns can't swoop in and snag the USC star.
