Sam Darnold Disrespected in Latest QB Rankings
Sam Darnold is the NFL’s 18th-best quarterback, according to Bleacher Report.
Sam Darnold Disrespected in Latest QB Rankings
For math savants, that’s also known as the 14th-worst among all starting signal-callers.
BR revealed its quarterback power rankings after Week 3, and the man who leads the business in touchdown passes was all the way down at No. 18, sandwiched between Derek Carr (No. 17, New Orleans Saints) and Justin Fields (No. 19, Pittsburgh Steelers).
“It might not hold up, but he’s off to a stellar start in Minnesota, and let’s not forget this is a 27-year-old who was a No. 3 overall pick just half a dozen years ago,” BR’s Brad Gagnon explained. He also labeled Darnold as an “overachiever.”
It’s worth noting that former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins checked in at No. 15 per the BR rankings, an odd placement because Cousins utterly struggled in Week 1 before delivering a game-winning drive in Week 2 at the Philadelphia Eagles.
Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), and Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) led the way, respectively. Gagnon called Jacoby Brissett (No. 32, New England Patriots), Will Levis (No. 31, Tennessee Titans), and Daniel Jones (No. 30, New York Giants) the NFL’s worst passers.
Darnold’s Vikings are undefeated at 3-0, and all things Vikings operations are humming through three games. But to appreciate Darnold’s sudden majesty, one must glance at his statistical pace in 2024. It’s rather unbelievable.
Scaled to a full 17-game season, Darnold is on pace for this 2024 stat line:
- 3,723 Passing Yards
- 45 TD Passes
- 11 INTs
Of course, the main concern about Darnold — if any — is sustainability. That is — how long can he maintain this newfound stardom? He’s never achieved such consistency in the past. Vikings fans watched last year as journeyman passer Joshua Dobbs set the world on fire for two games and then turned into a pumpkin. Some fear that Darnold could follow suit.
The only difference? Darnold is a third-overall-pick draft talent. Dobbs’ arm talent never remotely compared to Darnold’s, not even in the same arena. And Darnold has been beset by awful NFL geography, possibly needing a system like the Vikings’ and the support of a coach like Kevin O’Connell. Darnold’s production may indeed be sustainable.
Darnold also avoided a knee injury on Sunday. Ex-Vikings pass rusher Danielle Hunter rolled into his knee, sidelining the passer for one play. Some feared the worst. But NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted Monday, “Vikings QB Sam Darnold’s MRI revealed a knee bruise and no structural damage, per source.”
Generally speaking, BR’s quarterback rankings felt more like a lifetime achievement list than a practical application of current standing.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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