Sam Darnold Reportedly Will Have NFL Draft Workout with Broncos After Browns

USC quarterback Sam Darnold will work out for the Denver Broncos in Los Angeles on Friday after meeting with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday, according to Albert Breer of the MMQB. 

Darnold remains in the running for the top overall pick and is expected to be off the board in the top five selections, joining UCLA's Josh Rosen, Wyoming's Josh Allen and Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield as quarterbacks who could be selected early on April 26.

And if the rumor mill is to be believed—remember, there is a lot of smoke and mirrors this time of year as teams try to avoid tipping their hand—Darnold likely will be off the board within the first two picks: 

"He’s going number one," an AFC executive told Breer after Darnold's pro day in late March. "Everyone out there today saw the Browns’ franchise quarterback."

And a head coach said of Darnold, "Average from the pocket but really gets you excited when he’s on the move. He can create and make unorthodox throws, and that's the real NFL. It’s all on tape, too."

Darnold officially became a household name in 2016, throwing for 3,086 yards, 31 touchdowns and just nine interceptions in only 10 starts while completing 67.2 percent of his passes. But he arguably took a small step back in 2017, throwing for 4,143 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while completing just 63.1 percent of his throws.

Like all of the other top options at the position in this draft, Darnold presents question marks, namely some accuracy concerns and mechanics that aren't always the cleanest. But Darnold appears to have more strengths than weaknesses.

"I like the intangibles more than the raw talent," an NFC scout told Bucky Brooks of NFL.com in late February. "He's built to play the position from a mental standpoint, but I don't think he has elite arm talent. He wins because of his poise, grit and leadership skills. ... He might've been a little overhyped heading into the season, but I think he will be a solid starter in the league."

For teams like the Browns and Broncos seeking long-term upgrades at quarterback—Tyrod Taylor and Case Keenum, respectively, are solid one-year stopgap options but perhaps not franchise players—adding a solid starter in this year's draft is key.