Sam Darnold Prediction

[purplefaithful]

That brings us to how Darnold can be successful this season.

The Panthers ran the ball more than 40 times in each of those four Darnold wins at the end of 2022.

Unless the Vikings lock Kevin O’Connell in his office, they will never do that. But they can take some lessons from the 2019 Vikings and also the way Darnold had success in 2022 — he was 3-1 in his first four starts with zero turnovers while throwing the ball a little more than 20 times per game — in crafting their path forward.

They can’t have Darnold throwing 35 or 40 times a game. He’ll start making mistakes and turning the ball over.

The Vikings ran 63 plays per game last season. If that number holds this season, ideally there would be about 30 Darnold throws, a few Darnold scrambles (yes, he’s pretty good at that) and 30 designed runs.

If Aaron Jones has another good year left in him and the Vikings’ defense stays healthy, a nine-win season and career rejuvenation for Darnold is possible.

Source: StarTribune

[Bullazin]

I did a shallow dive into Darnold back in 2021, his last full season.  

He was the 2nd most pressured QB that year which immediately tells you it’s difficult to
Assess him in a play action system. He ran Rpo and air Coryell concepts that year.  Pressure is the name of the game in Todays NFL, but it’s easy to think he will get to the middle of the pack with his supporting cast. 

His bad throw percentage was lower than many really big names. 

If he can be a middling QB for us, we will be competitive in all our games this year.

[hogjowlsjohnny]

I did a shallow dive into Darnold back in 2021, his last full season.  

He was the 2nd most pressured QB that year which immediately tells you it’s difficult to
Assess him in a play action system. He ran Rpo and air Coryell concepts that year.  Pressure is the name of the game in Todays NFL, but it’s easy to think he will get to the middle of the pack with his supporting cast. 

His bad throw percentage was lower than many really big names. 

If he can be a middling QB for us, we will be competitive in all our games this year.

That's the way I see it also; except I think he will be better than mid pack due to his surround and coaching. He will be challenged right from the start. The Giants have a NT that can dominate Bradbury and their DC loves to blitz. They have a secondary that can be had if he goes over the top. I think he will be able to do it. I'm looking forward to a decent season. Should finish above .500 and potentially a fair amount better. I'm on board for this year, not waiting for next year!

[RS_Express]

My prediction is that we miss the playoffs and Darnold will be the reason why.

[Still Hurtn]

3700 yards 24 td 13 ints. 

IFFFF The Defense and running game rank between 14-19 the Vikings will win 10 games.

IFFFF Not 7 wins.

Purple colored glasses say Vikings will become a high flying fun team to watch on Offence and Defense the Kicker will be lights out and they will enjoy some magic in the Vein of 1998, 2009 and 2017.

[pattersaur]

That brings us to how Darnold can be successful this season.

The Panthers ran the ball more than 40 times in each of those four Darnold wins at the end of 2022.

Unless the Vikings lock Kevin O’Connell in his office, they will never do that. But they can take some lessons from the 2019 Vikings and also the way Darnold had success in 2022 — he was 3-1 in his first four starts with zero turnovers while throwing the ball a little more than 20 times per game — in crafting their path forward.

They can’t have Darnold throwing 35 or 40 times a game. He’ll start making mistakes and turning the ball over.

The Vikings ran 63 plays per game last season. If that number holds this season, ideally there would be about 30 Darnold throws, a few Darnold scrambles (yes, he’s pretty good at that) and 30 designed runs.

If Aaron Jones has another good year left in him and the Vikings’ defense stays healthy, a nine-win season and career rejuvenation for Darnold is possible.

Source: StarTribune

This, plus a competent defense and above average special teams is the path for the team to be good. It’s really walking a tightrope with this roster this season but crazier things have happened and it’s why NFL is king.

As to @hogjow, dude Cousins was barely above mid-pack! If Darnold can do that he’ll be Comeback Player of the Year and we’ll really be in business. Can’t say I’m as optimistic but it’d be a lot of fun.

[comet52]

In year 7 of his NFL career Sam Darnold at long last begins to play well because... purple jersey!

Also I've got high-grade Florida swampland for sale at great prices, you don't wanna miss out! pm me for details.

[Havoc]

I doubt he makes it through the season, but if he somehow does, here are my predictions:

64% completion rate, 22 td and 14 int and 3,653 yards

This will be the best system Sam has played in and by a fairly significant margin. I see that as being a big help to him. Accuracy is his number 1 problem, and although I foresee an improvement, it’s not an area that usually gets significantly better.

With that said, even with less than stellar play from him, I think the team can win some games. As long as the defense continues to get better, they will keep the team in games. If you can manage that, anything can happen.

[StickierBuns]

In anonymous voting between #NFL coaches and executives via
@SandoNFL
, #Vikings QB Sam Darnold was voted into Tier 4 of 5 (no QBs landed in Tier 5).

Darnold got equal votes split between Tier 3 and 5, thus placing him in Tier 4. He joins other fellow Tier 4 QBs:

Daniel Jones, Justin Fields, Gardner Minshew, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis, Bryce Young, Jacoby Brisset.

“He has been with multiple teams, and we are still waiting for the guy,” a defensive coordinator said. “He’s just jittery, man.”

[comet52]

“He’s just jittery, man.”

Yup. Just put on the film and it jumps out at you. The hope for Sam mostly rests on what ifs - what if somehow being in purple means he isn't the same guy he's always been. But people peddling that seem to have never looked at the film. His issues are between his ears, not who he played for, etc. His mistakes are on him.

I do think if he somehow got more confidence the jitters might be reduced. I don't know if playing for KOC will cause that to happen but it's his best hope for a resurrection.