Countdown to Kickoff: A Profile of Los Angeles Rams No. 16 Jared Goff
The Countdown to Kickoff series continues on with a look at Los Angeles Rams rookie quarterback and 2016 first overall pick Jared Goff.
There are exactly 16 days until the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers open up the 2016 NFL regular season with a Super Bowl rematch. As we continue to countdown to kickoff, today we are taking an extended look at Los Angeles Rams rookie quarterback Jared Goff.
The Countdown to Kickoff series began with a look at another big-time rookie in San Diego Chargers’ No. 99 Joey Bosa, and has continued on everyday since (check out all of the posts here).
Honestly the choice at number 16 was relatively easy. With all due respect to guys like Colt McCoy and Andrew Hawkins, the first overall pick in the most recent draft was an extremely easy decision here.
Let’s take a look at Los Angeles Rams rookie quarterback Jared Goff.
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The Rams gave up a massive haul in order to trade from number 15 to the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. A team with an obvious need at the most important position in the game, the Rams decided that Goff was their guy and did everything that they could to take him.
Goff joins the Rams after a stellar college career at California where he showed fantastic decision-making skills and a lightning-quick release. Goff does not have the greatest physical tools for a first overall selection at the quarterback position, but he is an extremely accurate and reliable QB who has a big-time NFL future.
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That being said, his NFL career has not exactly gotten off to the best start. Despite sinking a ton of assets into Goff being their franchise quarterback, the Rams have let it known that Case Keenum is currently their starting quarterback.
Keenum played well for the Rams down the stretch last season, but he is not exactly a top-tier player at the position. After the Rams made Goff such a high priority in the draft, most (myself included) expected this to be the Goff’s team from the get-go.
Now, just because he is not the number one quarterback as a rookie does not mean that Goff’s career is doomed. Sitting on the bench and learning how to play the game at the next level as a rookie could certainly do the young signal caller some good.
That being said, I have a hard time believing that having him sit on the bench and learn would be better for his progression than actually playing on the field.
The Rams have a talented roster and currently feel that Keenum gives them a better chance to win. However, do they really think they are legitimate Super Bowl contenders with Keenum under center? If Jeff Fisher answers yes to that question, he is lying.
Goff has not played well during the Rams’ first two preseason games but that does not mean anything right now. He is a young quarterback with the talent and upside to lead this franchise into the future.
If the Rams believe that they are better off with Keenum (or even Sean Mannion) as their starting quarterback in 2016, I can understand that. However, if this team is going to compete for a Super Bowl anytime soon, the guy who they gave up a massive haul for in the draft will be the starting quarterback.
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Simply put, the earlier the Jared Goff era starts for the Los Angeles Rams, the better off the franchise will be.