NFL Media's draft analyst, Daniel Jeremiah, took a look at quarterback fits with NFL teams now that the initial free-agency frenzy is behind us. Obviously, he has Trevor Lawrence going to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 1 overall draft pick. He also expects Zach Wilson to land with Robert Saleh and the New York Jets with the next selection.
That would make current Jets quarterback Sam Darnold expendable. Where does Jeremiah see as a good fit for the former No. 3 overall pick? The San Francisco 49ers.
Jeremiah notes that the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos also make a lot of sense. Still, neither of those teams is as well built to win now as San Francisco, making Kyle Shanahan's squad an ideal landing spot, in the analyst's mind.
"I believe Darnold would play well next season whether he stays in New York or goes to San Francisco (with both teams running the aforementioned QB-friendly Shanahan offense)," explained Jeremiah, "but the best thing for him might be to get a fresh start with a new team closer to home on the West Coast. The level of compensation for such a trade would let us know whether he's being given the starting job or if he needs to beat out Jimmy Garoppolo in a competition."
Darnold has completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 8,097 yards with 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions in three seasons with the Jets. That includes his 2,208 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and 11 interceptions thrown in 12 games last year.
As for the other rookie signal-callers, Jeremiah can envision Trey Lance with the Atlanta Falcons, Justin Fields with the New England Patriots, Mac Jones with the Carolina Panthers, Davis Mills with the Minnesota Vikings, and Kellen Mond with the Denver Broncos.
Jeremiah didn't include Deshaun Watson's name due to his current legal concerns.
