Top 2 quarterback prospects declare for the NFL draft
The top two quarterbacks in this year’s NFL draft might be facing a harsh reality next season: “We’re not in SoCal anymore.”
The temperature in Cleveland on Thursday morning read a balmy 13 degrees. New York had snow, but heated up to 20 degrees.
UCLA’s Josh Rosen and USC’s Sam Darnold probably want to keep an eye on that, after both declared their intentions to enter the 2018 NFL draft.
There’s a good chance one will be a Brown with the top pick, and the other might go to the Giants at No. 2.
Like many millennials, both quarterbacks made their announcements on social media.
Rosen tweeted his plans Wednesday.
Thankful to be a Bruin pic.twitter.com/iph754UL2b
— Josh Rosen (@josh3rosen) January 3, 2018
It is noteworthy that Rosen thanked his teammates so profusely. “They are my best friends,” he wrote. “I love them and wouldn’t have chosen any others to go into battle with each week.”
One question about the UCLA star has been his relationship with teammates, although many of them have spoken out to the contrary.
https://twitter.com/DownWithDamon/status/941325011880525824
Then there’s Darnold, who chose Instagram to release his news.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdgiGmsFoPX/?hl=en
“After talking to my immediate family, very close friends, and many people who have helped me throughout my life, I have made the decision to declare for the 2018 NFL draft,” Darnold said. “I’ve been blessed that my life has been full of memorable moments and wonderful people. The people who have been involved in making me the man I am today have prepared me for the life and decisions that I have to make in the future.”
Rosen and Darnold are viewed as the top quarterback prospects in the draft, but each comes with concerns.
Aside from Rosen’s relationship with his teammates, he has been injury-prone: He missed most of his sophomore season with a shoulder surgery and sat out UCLA’s bowl game against Kansas State due to a concussion.
Darnold’s biggest issue has been ball security.
As a freshman, his touchdown to interception ratio was 31-9. This season the numbers dropped to 26-13.
He also had nine fumbles on the year.
In the Trojans’ loss to Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, Darnold threw one interception that was returned for a touchdown and coughed up two fumbles.
The Browns, of course, are on the clock, holding the first pick in the draft.
ESPN reported that Rosen would prefer to play in New York over Cleveland, and there were rumors that he might not enter the draft if the Browns were going to choose him.
The good news for him, according to longtime NFL executive Michael Lombardi, is that Darnold will likely be the first pick by new GM John Dorsey.
I be stunned if Darnold is not the first pick in the draft. And Dorsey won’t trade away from him.
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) January 4, 2018
Should that happen, Darnold almost certainly would end up playing right away.
If Rosen does end up with the Giants, he would likely travel a different path. Depending on what happens with the Eli Manning situation, he could be sitting on the bench his entire rookie season.
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