NFL Draft intel: What should the Jets learn from Sam Darnold’s resurgence?

Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.

We’re answering the biggest questions about the draft. With that in mind, here are five: 

What should the New York Jets learn from Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold’s resurgence?  

2018 No. 3 pick Darnold — who went 13-25 in the regular season in three seasons with the Jets — wasn’t the problem. The 28-year-old passer led the Seahawks to their second Super Bowl title on Sunday, a 29-13 win over the New England Patriots.

“He’s a great example of two things: how an organization can ruin a quarterback and why you don’t give up on talent,” a scout said of Darnold before Super Bowl LX (via Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano). “It doesn’t happen with everybody, but sometimes these guys just need to get to the right place.” 

Darnold started in 24 games in two seasons with the Southern California Trojans. Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells wanted his QBs to have at least 30 starts in college before turning pro. The QB clearly would have benefited from sitting instead of starting immediately.

Pro Football Focus’ Max Chadwick has the Jets taking Alabama Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson (6-foot-2, 208 pounds) with pick No. 16 in his latest mock draft. The QB — who started in 15 games in four seasons at Alabama — is even less experienced than Darnold was when he entered the draft. 

Simpson ranked second in the SEC in touchdown passes (28) in 2025, but New York should have him sit behind veteran QB Tyrod Taylor if it takes him. 

Who should the Seattle Seahawks target in the first round of draft? 

The Seahawks have few holes on their roster, but giving Darnold more firepower wouldn’t hurt. The Ringer’s Todd McShay has them grabbing Texas A&M Aggies WR KC Concepcion (5-foot-11, 190 pounds) with pick No. 32 in his updated mock draft.

“[WR] Rashid Shaheed’s deal is up, and Cooper Kupp turns 33 in June,” wrote McShay. “Sam Darnold needs difference-makers to exploit defenses that give too much attention to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Concepcion is excellent at creating after the catch and an explosive punt returner.” 

Concepcion established himself as one of the SEC’s top playmakers in 2025. The WR ranked fifth in the conference in receiving yards (919) and tied with Tennessee Volunteers WR Chris Brazzell II for the most TD catches (nine). 

What other positions should new Las Vegas Raiders HC Klint Kubiak eye in the draft? 

Kubiak and company are expected to take Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) with pick No. 1 in the draft. The 2025 Heisman winner will struggle, though, if Vegas doesn’t improve its O-line. The AFC West club allowed the most sacks (64) in the league in 2025. 

Tankathon has the Raiders grabbing Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Monroe Freeling (6-foot-7, 315 pounds) with pick No. 36 in the second round, a solid choice. He earned a second-team All-SEC nod in 2025 after surrendering just two sacks on 747 snaps (via PFF).

“There is some buyer beware on tape, but if smoothed out, he has the ceiling of a quality NFL starter,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein in his scouting report.  

How does Notre Dame Fighting Irish star Jeremiyah Love compare to a past first-round RB? 

Sports Info Solutions graded Love as a seven — an immediate starter with All-Pro potential — in its initial draft rankings. The site gave Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, a 2025 Offensive Player of the Year finalist, the same mark in 2023. That year, Atlanta took the former Texas Longhorns standout with pick No. 8 in the draft.

“Love [6-foot, 214 pounds] is a well-rounded and explosively athletic running back with a solid build, a true game-breaking threat every time he touches the ball and the skill set to play every down,” wrote SIS scout Jeremy Percy. “He figures to make an immediate impact at the next level.” 

Love won the 2025 Doak Walker Award as the best RB in college football after running for 1,372 yards and 18 TDs in 12 games. He sounds like a great option for the Kansas City Chiefs, who ranked 25th in the NFL in rushing yards (106.6) in 2025. 

“I really love the idea of giving [QB Patrick] Mahomes his Jahmyr Gibbs [Detroit Lions] or Christian McCaffrey [San Francisco 49ers],” wrote Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt, who has the Chiefs taking Love with pick No. 9 in his first mock draft. 

SIS ranks Price (6.5 grade, lower-end starter) as the second-best RB in the class behind Love. Bleacher Report’s Damian Parson is even more bullish on the RB. 

“Jadarian Price is a nuanced, natural running back prospect with outstanding vision to find daylight beyond the line of scrimmage,” wrote Parson in his scouting report. “The 5-foot-11, 210-pound prospect has the tools to be an RB1.”  

Price logged fewer carries (113 for 674 yards) than Love (199) in 2025, but he made the most of his opportunities. The RB averaged a stellar six yards per rushing attempt and scored 11 rushing TDs. 

Price must show more as a pass-catcher, though, to prove he’s worthy of a starting role in the NFL. In three seasons with Notre Dame, he logged only 15 receptions for 162 yards and three TD catches.