The 2018 NFL Draft featured some big hits and some big misses when it comes to first-round quarterback selections. And surprisingly, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold has a chance to stand alone at the top when it comes to team success out of that draft class.
The draft featured five first-round quarterback selections, Baker Mayfield at No. 1 to the Cleveland Browns, Sam Darnold to the New York Jets, Josh Allen at No. 7 to the Buffalo Bills, Josh Rosen at No. 10 to the Arizona Cardinals, and Lamar Jackson at No. 32 to the Baltimore Ravens.
Out of these quarterbacks, the obvious standouts are Allen and Jackson in terms of an individual level. Even Mayfield has revived his career this year in Tampa Bay after an up-and-down stint in Cleveland.
However, none have had the chance to compete in a Super Bowl. That is until Darnold and the 49ers reached the Super Bowl with their win over the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game this past weekend.
THIS IS WILD 😱 pic.twitter.com/W6N4G14KO2
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 30, 2024
Considering how each of these quarterbacks’ respective careers have gone, many fans were shocked to see this interesting fact.
MY KING will see Purdy stinking it up and he will step up for Super Bowl MVP https://t.co/ND3RYsFxFb pic.twitter.com/gtqtHNV8F8
— Valter Briar🎭 (@BornHillsOnly) January 31, 2024
Lmaoooo let’s go Sam https://t.co/jbeqTS1XIs pic.twitter.com/Qn4cpIn83Y
— Darnell (@Kingjbell) January 31, 2024
🫣
😂
I had Sam going to a Super Bowl.
We won, Sam. 😬🤣#FightOn #USC https://t.co/WISbLSauCY
— JM (@thenrlphinsider) January 31, 2024
Sam could be the first of his draft class with a ring! https://t.co/yPTkB6ZBBQ
— Armando Uribe (@AU79ofHL916) January 31, 2024
Obviously, this needs to be taken with a grain of salt considering Darnold’s role on this 49ers team, as a backup behind Brock Purdy.
However, he does at least deserve some credit for sticking around in the NFL unlike Josh Rosen in his same draft class despite Darnold’s struggles as the starter in New York.
Who knows, maybe Darnold will find his way into the Super Bowl if something were to happen to Purdy. If that does happen, he will have a chance to change the narrative around his career and shine on the grandest stage of them all, unlike the rest of his draft class.
[Bleacher Report on Twitter/X]
