2016 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top Ten Quarterbacks

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1. Jared Goff, California

Sep 5, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) calls out a play against the Grambling State Tigers during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Some will knock him for playing in a spread offense, but do not fool yourselves. Jared Goff is an elite NFL quarterback prospect who will quickly take the league by storm. Sure, he takes all of his snaps out of shotgun, but today’s pro-style offense is different from the pro-style offenses in the past. NFL teams are using more and more spread concepts by the day.

When it comes to succeeding in the NFL, it is extremely important for a quarterback to be able to read through his progressions. The spread offenses get a bad name in college, because a lot of them are quick one-read options for the quarterback.

Marcus Mariota is a great example of this from last year’s draft class. Scouts wondered if he could read through progressions simply because of the offense he played in at Oregon. Cardale Jones is going to face similar concerns.

Jared Goff is a spread college quarterback, but there should be no concerns about his ability to read defenses or go through his progressions. He is the best quarterback in this draft class at this skill, and it is not even close. Goff does an incredible job of finding the open receiver on each and every play. You never see him force the ball, because his eyes are always moving, trying to mind that open receiver.

Goff does not have the biggest arm, but he certainly has plenty of arm strength to get it done at the next level. The accuracy on his passes are perfect nearly all of the time. He can hit any throw on the field with regularity.

Goff also shows nice mobility in the pocket, and a great ability to throw on the run. The first name that comes to mind when watching Goff on tape is Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

That may have something to do with him being from Cal as well, but putting that aside, his mobility, ability to read defenses and near perfect accuracy reminds me of a young Rodgers. Not a bad guy to be compared to.

A more traditional team may take issue with taking Goff in the top three or five, but they would be missing out. This is an elite quarterback prospect who is going to make a difference at the next level. When it comes to Goff, the sky is the limit.

Next: 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Complete First Round

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