How have Sam Darnold, other first-round QBs fared since 2018 draft?

Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, and Lamar Jackson were drafted two years ago. Who’s had the best career so far?

(Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports)

Lamar Jackson – 32nd overall, Ravens

No one knew what to do with Jackson during the 2018 draft. All 32 teams passed on him, including the Ravens, who traded back into the first round to grab him with the 32nd pick. Jackson played well enough during his rookie season to take over for Joe Flacco in Week 10, but he burst onto the NFL scene in 2019 as the likely MVP with 54 total touchdowns.

Jackson went 6-1 as a starter in 2018 and followed it up with a 14-2 record in 2019. He finished this past season with 3,127 total yards, including an NFL-record 1,206 rushing yards for a quarterback. Though he made the postseason the past two years, his 2019 season ended similarly to his 2018 one. Jackson’s Ravens failed to beat the Chargers in 2018 and then his 508 total yards weren’t enough to beat the Titans in the NFL Divisional Round in 2019.

Career totals:

15-2 regular-season record

0-2 playoff record

6,229 passing yards

1,901 rushing yards

95 total touchdowns (83 passing, 12 rushing)

9 interceptions