The future of quarterback Sam Darnold with the New York Jets is in jeopardy after three uninspiring years with the team. Former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is now their head coach following Adam Gase’s retirement from that position, and NewYork ranks No. 2 overall in this year’s draft. Trading Darnold as he enters the final year of his rookie contract and using a quarterback’s second pick seems like the course of action the Jets can follow when they aim to get back on the court under Saleh. The 49ers shouldn’t consider Darnold as a starter, but they could aim to add him with a long-term future.
Darnold, 23, would not be an immediate update on Jimmy Garoppolo. He has been less than stellar in three years as a starter and there is evidence in his work that says it may not have been just Gase’s abysmal list and leadership that have kept the former number 3 hit. general selection.
Still, if head coach Kyle Shanahan believes in Darnold’s future, it may be worth downloading a draft selection to acquire him based on the compensation the Jets would be looking for. Shanahan before the 49ers game of Week 2 against the Jets applauded the young QB.
“I watched him a lot, whether in college or last week’s game,” Shanahan said via the Jets ’team spot. “I’m a big fan of Sam. He is a very good player. He will have a very good career in this league. He does a lot of plays. If you don’t dedicate yourself to your stuff, if you let him get back comfortable there, he will distinguish you as well as any quarterback. He can throw it very well and sees the field very well. We have to make sure we don’t make him feel comfortable because when he does, he will show everyone why he is so good ”.
Maybe it was just talking about the coach about an opponent, but let’s take it in a moment for a moment.
The 49ers need to upgrade their secondary quarterback status and at the same time start looking at life after Garoppolo. Except for his recovery season, the team will likely be looking for a new interlocutor.
Darnold may not be that, but if the price comes in lower than the rumored second-round pick the Jets are looking for and San Francisco may pull him out for a first-day 3 pick, a long-term plan begins to unite.
If Shanahan likes Darnold, there are many chances that he will like her more than a player who should be drafted in round 4 or 5. Darnold has one year left on his rookie contract which would mean a limit of 4.7 million of dollars for the 20ers 2021.
This would solve two problems. First, it offers the 49ers an update on Nick Mullens on the QB2 site, and it does so for the cost of a Day 3 draft pick. Second, it gives the 49ers a full year to evaluate Darnold in practice and meetings.
There is some risk. Darnold may not be a good player. He is completing 59.8 percent of his throws in his career and averaging 6.6 yards per attempt. His 3.7 percent touchdown rate only surpasses his 3.2 percent interception rate.
On the other hand, he is a talented player who may just need a new environment that makes better use of his skill set. For the 49ers, if Shanahan firmly believes in Darnold, it’s worth choosing him halfway through the round.
The biggest question and risk comes next year. San Francisco could exercise Darnold’s fifth-year option (assuming the operation goes down before the draft in April) with the goal of starting it in 2022. That would give it $ 25 million fully guaranteed and a year to audition for a long time. term contract.
San Francisco could also choose to try to sign him for an extension that doesn’t reach quarterback market share in hopes of falling into a situation where they have a capable quarterback in a relatively cheap deal.
It’s a terrifying proposition, but the 49ers may need to make a couple of big changes to find the long-term answer at the center. That doesn’t mean changing for Darnold and starting him in 2021. Changing for him with a look to the future may be something Shanahan is interested in if his September comments still sound true.
The 49ers would need a perfect situation, even if they are not sending too much capital to acquire it. If they like a prospect they think they can get in the second round, they should follow that route. But if they’re not in love with some realistic options in this year’s project, rolling the dice on a recovery project like Darnold should be on the table.