ScoutIndex

SEA SEA

Sam Darnold

QB

A 1st-round pick (3rd overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft out of USC, Sam Darnold has built an NFL career since. He's currently with SEA, in his 9th season in the league. He graded out among the best QBs in the league last season — a 66.2 ScoutIndex Rating, the 88th percentile at the position. His arm strength stands out most — the 94th percentile at the position. Across 9 NFL seasons, he has totaled 21,464 passing yards and 130 touchdowns.

Size

6'3", 225#

College

USC

Draft

Rd 1, 3rd overall (2018)

Seasons

2018–2026

2018 ScoutIndex Rating · QB

Methodology
37.6

18th percentile among QBs

13 games · 444 dropbacks

Volume×0.1+0.76
Total EPA×0.24-0.63
Conversion×0.08-0.84
Dropback EPA×0.34-0.65
Accuracy (CPOE)×0.12-1.41
Ball security×0.12-1.34

Week 1 projection · vs NE

Methodology
Pass yds212.0 (97.9–326)51% 210.5+
Pass yds212.0 (97.9–326)51% 210.5+
Pass yds212.0 (97.9–326)51% 210.5+
Pass yds212.0 (97.9–326)51% 210.5+
Pass yds212.0 (97.9–326)51% 210.5+
Pass yds212.0 (97.9–326)51% 210.5+
Pass TD1.4 (0–3)42% 1.5+
Pass TD1.4 (0–3)42% 1.5+
Pass TD1.4 (0–3)42% 1.5+
Pass TD1.4 (0–3)42% 1.5+
Pass TD1.4 (0–3)42% 1.5+
Pass TD1.4 (0–3)42% 1.5+
INT0.8 (0–2)54% 0.5+
INT0.8 (0–2)54% 0.5+
INT0.8 (0–2)54% 0.5+
INT0.8 (0–2)54% 0.5+
INT0.8 (0–2)54% 0.5+
INT0.8 (0–2)54% 0.5+
Rush yds15.7 (0–33.7)51% 15.5+
Rush yds15.7 (0–33.7)51% 15.5+
Rush yds15.7 (0–33.7)51% 15.5+
Rush yds15.7 (0–33.7)51% 15.5+
Rush yds15.7 (0–33.7)51% 15.5+
Rush yds15.7 (0–33.7)51% 15.5+

Mean (10th–90th percentile) · recent form × matchup. Informational, not wagering advice.

2018 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismPassingDecisions & Impact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed37▶

Percentile of 40-yard dash time among QBs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.

Burst9▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine QBs.

Agility43▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine QBs (faster = higher).

Size57▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the QB cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Passing

Arm Strength94▶

Average depth of target on all attempts (air yards ÷ attempts) — a proxy for arm strength; true velocity needs radar-tracked data.

Accuracy11▶

Completion % over expected (CPOE), attempt-weighted across the season.

Ball Security7▶

Interceptions ÷ dropback (fewer is better).

Decisions & Mobility

Sack Avoidance46▶

Sacks ÷ dropback (fewer is better) — pocket movement and quick decisions, as far as box-score data can show it.

Mobility29▶

Rushing EPA plus rushing yardage per game, from scrambles and designed runs.

Impact

Efficiency21▶

(Passing EPA + rushing EPA) ÷ dropback — the Rating's largest component.

Volume72▶

Total dropbacks (attempts + sacks) this season.

Conversion18▶

(Passing first downs + ½ passing TD) ÷ dropback.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026SEA34.751033735
2025SEA66.21740482595
2024MIN62.5174319352121
2023SF46.8102972151
2022CAR61.66114371062
2021CAR25.312252792225
2020NYJ26.412220892172
2019NYJ44.713302419622
2018NYJ37.6132865171351

Career profile

Sam Darnold has appeared in 105 regular-season games across 9 NFL seasons on file, playing for 5 teams: NYJ (2018–2020), CAR (2021–2022), SF (2023), MIN (2024), SEA (2025–2026).

As a passer he has thrown for 21,464 yards and 130 touchdowns with 89 interceptions. He has rushed for 1,099 yards and 14 touchdowns. His most productive passing season was 2024 with MIN: 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns in 17 games.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2025: a 66.2, in the 88th percentile among QBs that year.

Career highs (regular season)

2018 splits

regular season
SplitGPass ydsPass TDINTRush ydsRush TD
Home6
1,612
269/g
12
7
71
12/g
1
Away7
1,253
179/g
5
8
64
9/g
0
In division4
900
225/g
2
7
36
9/g
0
Out of division9
1,965
218/g
15
8
99
11/g
1
In wins4
846
212/g
8
4
19
5/g
0
In losses9
2,019
224/g
9
11
116
13/g
1
On grass4
718
180/g
2
6
30
8/g
0
On turf9
2,147
239/g
15
9
105
12/g
1
Indoors1
198
198/g
2
1
-1
-1/g
0
Outdoors12
2,667
222/g
15
14
136
11/g
1

2018 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1DET198 pass yds, 2 TD, 1 INT · -1 rush yds, 0 TD55.4
Week 2MIA334 pass yds, 1 TD, 2 INT · 1 rush yds, 0 TD30.4
Week 3CLE169 pass yds, 0 TD, 2 INT34.6
Week 4JAX167 pass yds, 1 TD, 0 INT · 8 rush yds, 0 TD33.1
Week 5DEN198 pass yds, 3 TD, 1 INT · 5 rush yds, 0 TD49.4
Week 6IND280 pass yds, 2 TD, 1 INT · 8 rush yds, 0 TD63.8
Week 7MIN206 pass yds, 1 TD, 3 INT · 18 rush yds, 1 TD12.9
Week 8CHI153 pass yds, 1 TD, 0 INT · 22 rush yds, 0 TD41.9
Week 9MIA229 pass yds, 0 TD, 4 INT10.3
Week 14BUF170 pass yds, 1 TD, 1 INT · 7 rush yds, 0 TD54.4
Week 15HOU253 pass yds, 2 TD, 0 INT · 35 rush yds, 0 TD69.7
Week 16GB341 pass yds, 3 TD, 0 INT · 4 rush yds, 0 TD76.4
Week 17NE167 pass yds, 0 TD, 0 INT · 28 rush yds, 0 TD45

Sam Darnold — common questions

What position does Sam Darnold play?
Sam Darnold is listed as a QB.
Which teams has Sam Darnold played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Sam Darnold has played for NYJ (2018–2020), CAR (2021–2022), SF (2023), MIN (2024), SEA (2025–2026).
Where did Sam Darnold go to college?
Sam Darnold played college football at USC.
When was Sam Darnold drafted?
Sam Darnold was selected in round 1, 3rd overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Sam Darnold scored?
Sam Darnold has 144 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (130 passing, 14 rushing).
What is Sam Darnold's ScoutIndex Rating?
Sam Darnold rated 34.7 for 2026, the 16th percentile among QBs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 1, 2018

Also from USC