Scouting Report on Jared Goff

This QB class seems to have a good mix of everything, including a stud underclassman (Jared Goff), some solid guys that can come in and compete right away (Connor Cook and Cody Kessler) and some developmental guys (Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott). It's tough to know who will declare and that certainly impacts depth, but for now I'm trying to look at seniors first. While adding in Goff, Paxton Lynch, and Christian Hackenberg, to the class will certainly make it much deeper (and better) class, I'd rather talk about the guys I'm postive will come out in this draft. So in this article I'll be talking about Goff (as I am very confident he will declare) and then in the coming articles I will be talking about several of the seniors set to gradaute next spring.

Jared Goff, California, 20 years old, JR, 6'4", 205 pounds:

While Goff is a year younger than anyone else on this list, he is miles better. Goff is very accurate and has great touch down the field, something I require when looking at a QB. Deep accuracy is extremely important and Goff is very good in that regard. Watch Goff hit his target right on the money on this fake bubble screen.

You can see the arm strength here (sorry for bad video, it was either that or having to post a huge long video), as well as the deep accuracy. The WR didn't have to break stride. Many critics of Goff say because he plays in this "Bear Raid" offense that he doesn't know how to read defenses. I completely disagree. I think Goff is elite in his progressions and feel for read defenses. I think Goff's biggest problems coming from Cal will be learning to play under center (5 and 7 step drops, not being able to see field as clearly as when he was in shotgun all the time, etc.). Most QBs today are going to have that problem though. The route trees he is running at Cal are actually very similar to pro style at times, unlike some of these other offenses.

Another thing I've seen from Goff (not yet this year, he looks much improved) is sometimes in years past he would miss intermediate routes. If that flares up again I may be worried, but it was mostly when he was a freshman. He also looks much improved in throwing from off-balance and uncomfortable postions. He's become among the best at this, and throws balls off his backfoot right on the money. That's a big testament to his arm strength, but some guys get inaccurate in those situations even if they have enough arm. Goff also has great feel in the pocket and has a knack for knowing when to get rid of the ball. The only other slight knock I have on Goff is at times he tries to force the ball in to very tight spots. It has worked often times in college, but at the next level I worry about those type of throws. Maybe he knows he can get away with it in college, but if he doesn't I think it can easily be coached out. It's sort of a blessing and a curse, as sometimes it results in some beautiful throws. I know his frame is also a concern, but that wouldn't stop me from taking Goff high in the draft.

Pros: Deep Accuracy, Feel, Progressions, Touch, Arm Strength, Timing

Cons: Learning Curve, Weight, Forces Ball In Tight Windows

Grade: 8.6/10 (Good Starter/High 1st Round Grade)

Where I Would Draft Him: Top 5