4 realistic targets Panthers QB Sam Darnold can achieve in 2021
By Dean Jones
Sam Darnold completion percentage
- 68 percent completion percentage
This is probably the most overrated statistic when it comes to quarterback. Completion percentage might be important, but there is a time when other elements have to come into play for a signal-caller to be truly successful.
Teddy Bridgewater’s reliance on check-downs in 2020 meant he came away with a solid completion success rate of 69.1 percent. However, this wasn’t matched by production in key areas of the field and especially with the game on the line.
There are reasons to be encouraged where Sam Darnold is concerned. But his decision-making even from a clean pocket needs some significant work if the player wants to make the most out of what is surely his second and final chance to prove he is a starting-caliber quarterback.
His career-high for completion success is 61.9 in 2019, which dipped to 59.6 from 364 attempts during the previous campaign.
Carolina has the talent to ensure there is always going to be someone open on any given down. That is an absolute fact.
Darnold needs to go through his reads quickly, make the right decisions, and distribute the football efficiently from the first snap until the last.
If he can do this, then somewhere in the region of 68 percent for his final completion percentage is not out of the question next season.