From SI:
“I’d keep an eye on Carolina and Pittsburgh,” SI.com’s Albert Breer wrote on the possibility of Darnold’s future. “Darnold would represent a worthy, and affordable, dart to throw at the quarterback board if the Panthers are convinced the quarterbacks they’d want will be gone by the time they pick at eighth (and Atlanta having the fourth pick doesn’t help them).
“As for the Steelers, if the price is right they could see some similarities in how Darnold plays to how their own quarterback did in his early 20s, and throw Darnold in there to compete with Dwayne Haskins to be Ben Roethlisberger’s heir. Washington and Denver have also come up as possible landing spots, though I know each had some misgivings on his tape.”
If the Steelers were to take a flyer on Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick in 2018, what would they have to surrender? Well, it sounds like picks.
“Talked to three NFL GMs about the market for Sam Darnold. I asked what’s the most they’d be willing to give up: Two said a 3rd Rd pick — with one saying even a late 3rd would be ‘a little rich,'” wrote Kimberly Martin of ESPN. “The other GM said, ‘Maybe a 3rd or conditional 4th.'”
Darnold is entering the final year of his contract, but any team that trades for him will get the chance to exercise a fifth-year option.
Speaking of options, would Darnold actually be one for the Steelers? Given the shaky state of things in Pittsburgh, it might make sense.
PREDICTION
Jets keep darnold. if teams are only willing to give up a third, it's better to keep him and let him compete with whomever they draft early. sc