Potential top pick Darnold impresses at rainy pro day
Sam Darnold may have been a little uncomfortable throwing in the rain at USC's pro day Wednesday, but gutting through the less-than-ideal weather only helped the quarterback show what he could do.
With plenty of scouts, coaches, general managers, and owners - including Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam - in attendance, Darnold made around 60 throws after declining to move up his workout to better weather.
"I don't think it would have been fair to change the schedule with all of the other guys training for the pro day," Darnold said, according to ESPN's Eric Williams. "So I just wanted my guys to be comfortable - my teammates - that was first and foremost.
"But I also think it was a perfect opportunity to be able to throw in the rain and show these guys I could throw in the rain."
it's windy, it's pouring, and Darnold is out here throwing back to back dimes like these pic.twitter.com/g2XrWL4haD
— Jordan Zirm (@clevezirm) March 21, 2018
Darnold looked strong and accurate throwing in shorts to his college teammates, making a strong impression on the decision-makers in attendance.
"Darnold is the favorite to go No. 1," an NFL director of college scouting told Matt Miller of Bleacher Report. "I'll be shocked if he isn't the pick."
The Browns, who own the top pick, had their head coach Hue Jackson, general manager John Dorsey, offensive coordinator Todd Haley, and quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese all in Los Angeles to watch Darnold, who is more than open to coming to Cleveland.
"I feel like I'm definitely capable of going No. 1," Darnold said. "What the Browns are doing right now is really good.
"They've got a lot of good pieces right now. I think going there and being able to lead the way I lead and play the way I play, I think it would be a good situation."