Davis Mattek on Sam Darnold

VideoStop Drafting Quarterbacks Like An IdiotCaptured August 1, 2026

From the video

looking at the profiles of Cam Ward, Sam Darnold, C.J. Stroud, Daniel Jones, Bryce Young, Aaron Rodgers, Geno Smith, Fernando Mendoza, Jacoby Brissett, you would have a very hard time convincing me that any of those guys have league-winning upside... taking Sam Darnold, particularly unstacked Sam Darnold... There are real high upside options, guys who are going to contribute weekly scores, who would be passed up for for a quarterback three.

Mentioned at 1:02 – 13:53

STACKED’s take

Negative signalValue

No league-winning upside; unstacked Darnold worse than skill position alternatives.

JJ Zachariason groups Sam Darnold among quarterbacks that he would have a very hard time convincing him have league-winning upside in the context of late-round quarterback evaluation. Zachariason argues that taking Sam Darnold in round 12, particularly without a stack, is suboptimal compared to high-upside skill position players; suggests the quarterback is being drafted too early relative to available alternatives.

Sam DarnoldQB · SEAPlayer page — value, ADP, projections, and every insight

From the video

STACKED’s take

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