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The 2018 NFL Draft was set to be stacked with quarterback talent, with multiple franchise-level players ready to enter the league.
But according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, two of the top prospects may choose to stay in school for another year rather than enter the NFL next season.
Speaking with WEEI’s “Kirk & Callahan” show, Schefter brought up the possibility of both UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen and USC quarterback Sam Darnold passing up an NFL contract in 2018.
The topic was brought up as the Boston-based show discussed the future of longtime Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo. Kirk and Callahan were wondering where Garoppolo might end up with the big draft class coming in, but Schefter told them not to be so sure.
“Everybody’s talking about the quarterback class next year,” Schefter said, “and I continue to hear that it’s possible that Sam Darold is going to stay in school, and I continue to hear that it’s possible that Josh Rosen is going to stay in school.”
While it’s odd for a player expected to go as high in the draft as Darnold and Rosen are expected to go to pass up on the opportunity, Schefter seemed to imply that one reason the players might opt for another year of school was to avoid getting drafted by the New York Jets.
“If you were walking around USC’s campus and you had the life that Sam Darold did and you were from California would you be in any rush to play in Florham Park, New Jersey?” he asked Kirk & Callahan.
Florham Park is home to the Jets’ practice facility.
It’s still way too far out to know what Darnold or Rosen will eventually decide on — the Jets are still a season away from having the first overall pick, and depending on how USC and UCLA play out the year there’s different things that could happen that could sway the star players in one direction on another.
But for now, they potential for Darnold and Rosen to stay in school adds an interesting wrinkle to anyone looking forward to the 2018 Draft and beyond.
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