AFC Notes: Sam Darnold, Jets, Browns

Sam Darnold

Jets’ QB Sam Darnold could potentially be replaced next year if the team decides to draft a quarterback and move on from him. The real question then becomes what type of value Darnold possesses on the trade market around the league.

“Nobody thinks he’s a lost cause if that’s what you’re asking,” an anonymous NFL executive tells Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv. “If they decide to trade him, they’ll find plenty of takers. Getting a franchise quarterback with experience, where you’re not starting from scratch, still on his rookie deal? There’s a ton of value in that. He’s still got a strong arm, a knack for making plays out of the pocket, and we always thought he was pretty intelligent and poised. He’s gotten into some bad habits, bad mechanics, but that’s really a product of the lack of support around him. And all that stuff can be fixed. Teams that need a quarterback, that can’t get to the top of the draft, will see fixing Darnold as much easier than grooming a second-tier rookie. And if it doesn’t work out, they’ve only wasted a year or two.”

• The anonymous executive told Vacchiano that there could be as many as twelve teams interested in Darnold including Washington, Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Denver, or Jacksonville.
• Several other NFL sources noted that a trade involving Darnold could have a starting point that looks similar to the Cardinals’ trade of QB Josh Rosen in which the Miami Dolphins gave up a second-round pick and a future fifth-round pick.

Jets

• Connor Hughes of The Athletic takes a look at what the Jets’ roster may look like in 2021 following the NFL Draft and free-agent market, noting that they will select Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence should then end up with the No. 1 overall pick. 
• At running back, Hughes could see the Jets signing 49ers’ impending free-agent RB Tevin Coleman and lists Bears’ impending free-agent WR Allen Robinson as a potential addition. 
• Some other free agents to watch for New York, according to Hughes, include Patriots G Joe Thuney and Ravens OLB Matthew Judon. 
• Mike Garafolo reports that the Jets have been very pleased with the production of rookie WR Denzel Mims and OT Mekhi Becton. One NFL talent evaluator compared Mims to a “faster” version of Eagles WR Alshon Jeffery. 

Browns

Browns’ DE Myles Garrett is expected to miss his second straight week due to COVID-19 and DC Joe Woods will be looking for DE Olivier Vernon to have a massive performance against the Jaguars, similar to his three-sack outing against the Eagles last week in which he also netted a safety.

“That is what I told him, once you do it once, we expect to see it again,” Woods said, via Scott Petrak of BrownsZone.com. “He has always been capable of doing that. We have flexibility across the defensive line, so we will be able to move guys inside and outside whenever we need to. We feel comfortable going into this game. Myles to my knowledge is doing fine. Feeling good. He is always involved in our meetings. Mentally he will be ready. It is just getting him back physically on the field and getting him ready to go.”