© Brian Fluharty | 2021 Jan 3
A quarterback who was rumored to be the potential future of the 49ers is on the move.
The Jets traded Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers on Monday, in exchange for a sixth-rounder in the 2021 draft later this month and a second-rounder and fourth-rounder in 2022. Darnold was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in 2018 after the Jets sent three first-round picks to the Colts in order to move up.
Many speculated that the 49ers might trade for Darnold this offseason, either to replace Jimmy Garoppolo or compete with him, to shore up their quarterback situation. Ultimately the 49ers elected to go with a rookie, trading three first-round picks to the Dolphins for the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft. When the 49ers select a QB at No. 3, it will be the first quarterback taken with that selection since Darnold.
Darnold, 23, was the lowest rated passer in the NFL last year (72.7) among the 36 qualifying quarterbacks. It is assumed that the Jets will select BYU’s Zach Wilson as their quarterback of the future with the No. 2 overall pick after the Jaguars select Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence