Passed Up: What The Browns Missed
Darnold Has Chance To Show Stuff
Sam Darnold once thought he'd be wearing an orange helmet just a few shades brighter than his hair color.
But the former USC star wasn't precisely what the Browns were looking for in a franchise quarterback in the NFL draft. Darnold checked most of the boxes, but not all of them and Cleveland passed on him with the No. 1 overall pick, selecting Baker Mayfield instead.
On Thursday night, Darnold can show the Browns they made a mistake.
Another one.
The youngest quarterback to start a season opener since 1970, Darnold will perform on a national TV stage for the second time already as a pro when he leads the New York Jets into FirstEnergy Stadium to face the Browns, who have played well enough to win their first two games but are still searching for their first victory since Dec. 24, 2016.
Heading into April's draft, Darnold was considered the top of the deep 2018 QB class and it appeared he would wind up in Cleveland, where quarterbacks have come and gone like restaurant busboys over the past two decades.
“Yeah, I thought I could've ended up there or several other teams,” Darnold said this week. “I was excited to go anywhere. Whoever wanted me, whoever wanted to pick me as a top pick, to me it was a dream come true right when it happened.”
The Jets and Browns are on divergent paths. New York has chosen to start Darnold, while Cleveland is holding Mayfield out to watch and learn behind Tyrod Taylor.
Maye doubtful: Jets starting safety Marcus Maye is doubtful to play because of a foot injury. Maye has not played in a regular season game this season because of the ailment. Also, outside linebacker Josh Martin and tight end Neal Sterling have been ruled out with concussions. ... After joining the Giants as a late-season addition, veteran offensive lineman John Greco came to training camp as somewhat of a bubble guy on the roster. Two-plus weeks into the season, he's now a starter. The 11-year veteran is getting an unexpected chance because center Jon Halapio broke his right leg and ankle in the third quarter of the 20-13 loss to the Cowboys.