Sam Darnold impressed in his preseason debut with the Jets on Friday.
Darnold played a majority of the game and displayed strong pocket awareness in New York’s 17-0 win over the Falcons. Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield also showed their potential in this week’s preseason action.
Sam Darnold, QB, Jets
Stat line: 13 of 18, 96 passing yards, one touchdown
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft entered in the second quarter of New York’s game against the Falcons and did not disappoint. Darnold led the Jets on a touchdown drive before halftime and played the remainder of the game. He completed 13 of his 18 passes for 96 yards and the touchdown. He will continue to compete with Teddy Bridgewater and Josh McCown for the Jets starting quarterback spot.
First one under your belt, kid. #ATLvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/fk7v05Ni2A
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 11, 2018
Quotable: "I thought I played pretty good. I think I put the ball where it needed to be. Tried to get it in the hands of our playmakers," Darnold said (via SNY). "Just going to watch the tape and see what exactly happened on some of the plays. I thought I did pretty well. Took care of the football, which was my main priority tonight."
Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
Stat line: 7 of 18, 119 yards passing, 21 yards rushing, one touchdown
Jackson had something to prove in his second outing with Baltimore on Thursday. The 32nd-overall pick in 2018 was passed up by numerous teams in need of a talented quarterback, and in the Ravens’ second game out Jackson proved to be just that. In Baltimore’s 33-7 victory over Los Angeles, Jackson recorded 119 yards in the air and 21 on the ground — highlighted by a touchdown late in the first quarter.
On the run. @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/AajgZdDwQt
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 10, 2018
Quotable: "It was awesome," Jackson said, via the Baltimore Sun . "The crowd was into it, and we came out with a 'W.'"
Baker Mayfield, QB, Browns
Stat line: 11 of 20, 212 yards passing, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
The No. 1 draft pick may not be the No. 1 quarterback in Cleveland, but he definitely proved he's on his way in his first-ever NFL game. Baker Mayfield gave Browns fans something to look forward to this season as he dazzled the crowd at MetLife Stadium. In Cleveland's 20-10 win over New York, Mayfield threw two impressive touchdowns to help top the Giants — including a 54-yard connection with fellow rookie Antonio Callaway.
Mayfield to Callaway for a 54-yard TOUCHDOWN 😱 #CLEvsNYG pic.twitter.com/HD4sO8fwjg
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 10, 2018
Quotable: “One thing I liked about the kid, he has great composure,” said Giants defensive tackle Robert Thomas, via the NY Post . “As a young guy, they usually get kinda frustrated, like you could kinda see when things aren’t going his way,” Thomas said. “He rolled with everything that was happening out there.”
Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants
It took all of one play for Giants fans to give up any reservations they had for not drafting a quarterback. The No. 2-overall pick out of Penn State took a handoff in the first quarter from Eli Manning and sprinted down field for 39 yards. Had this been during the regular season in 2017, it would have been the second-longest run from scrimmage for a Giant all year. He finished with 43 yards on four carries
Welcome to the NFL @saquon ! First game, first play!!! #CLEvsNYG pic.twitter.com/OpukgNsiJX
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 9, 2018
Quotable: “It was a nice start,” John Mara told The Post. “It’s kinda what we expected.”