When the Los Angeles Rams traded up with the Tennessee Titans to acquire the top pick in this week’s 2016 NFL draft, it was obvious they did so with the intention of selecting a quarterback.
Initial reports suggested that former CAL standout Jared Goff was the guy. Though, at least one respected insider indicated that it might be North Dakota State product Carson Wentz that tickles the team’s fancy.
Now, just a few days until the start of the annual event in Chicago, it looks more and more like Goff will be the first pick off the board to the recently relocated Rams franchise:
Heard Goff is 99.9% the pick at No. 1. The entire league knows it #nfl https://t.co/8qEXPowe65
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) April 24, 2016
This can’t be considered too surprising. While Wentz has stood out during the pre-draft process, the idea of a small-school quarterback being able to step in and start immediately can’t be too appealing. And in reality, the Rams want whoever they draft to win the starting job out of the gate.
There have been some questions regarding Goff’s performance against elite-level teams, but his tape tells us a story of a quarterback that is leaps and bounds better than any of his counterparts in this draft.
If it is Goff, he will likely find himself in a battle for the starting job with Case Keenum. The future of Nick Foles in Los Angeles would also be called into question.
Goff going to Los Angeles would also mean that the Philadelphia Eagles will select Wentz with the second pick, leaving the San Diego Chargers at No. 3 overall in an enviable position leading up to the draft.
A native of Northern California, Goff grew up a fan of the San Francisco 49ers. It would be rather interesting if he suited up for the team’s division rival in the first year they return to California.