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Washington Redskins 2016 Draft Profiles: Jared Goff, QB

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2016 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Redskins.

By Aaron Lesher

Jared Goff, QB
School: California | Conference: Pac-12
College Experience: Junior | Age: 21
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 215 lbs
SPARQ: 90.3 / NFL Percentile: 21.6% 
Projected Draft Status: Top-10 pick
NFL Comparison: Matt Ryan

College Statistics

Measurables

Player Overview

A Northern Californian football messiah, Jared Goff was immediately thrown into the fire as a college freshman at Cal. His play and statistics steadily increased each year, and in 2015 he broke Marcus Mariota's Pac-12 record for single-season touchdown passes with 43. He also owns many school passing records, including career passing yards, completions, and touchdowns, and is the first Cal quarterback to declare early for the draft since Aaron Rodgers in 2004.

Goff was able to succeed despite a very shaky offensive line, lack of major receiving weapons or a strong defense which made Cal's offense very one-dimensional. Cal's no-huddle spread scheme under Sonny Dykes inflated his completion percentage and yardage due to the high volume of attempts per game. It also brings into question whether Goff is ready to be a Day 1 starter in the NFL given his lack of experience in a true pro-style system. Physically, Goff has all the fundamental tools to be a long-time starter at quarterback for an NFL team, but it will be up to the pre-draft vetting process to determine if he possesses the mental fortitude and hunger for continual improvement to reach elite status.

Strengths

  • Throws a pretty spiral with great zip + velocity to fit into tight windows, plenty of juice to push the ball downfield and attack defenses vertically
  • Throws with compact, over-the-top release -- gets ball out quick
  • Stayed tough in the pocket despite getting hit a ton over college career, played and started in all 37 games
  • Shows ability to make pre-snap reads and adjustments
  • Ideal height to see over defenders and linemen

Weaknesses

  • Doesn't wow me with leadership ability and intangibles, although only 21 years old, still room to grow
  • Lean, lanky frame can be broken by NFL hits; needs to add bulk in low body and back to protect himself
  • Played almost exclusively out of shotgun and pistol formations, needs to learn footwork and drops from under center
  • Very inconsistent under pressure, misses wipe-open targets with scattershot throws when blitzed
  • Offers little to no running ability outside of the pocket, weak and cannot break tackles, although maneuvers feet well

Media Ramblings / Musings / Highlights




How He Fits on the Redskins

Well it's a nice thought, but there's no way in hell Jared Goff ends up on the Redskins. He's going between 2nd overall and 8th overall, likely being drafted by the 49ers (7th overall), Cowboys (4th), Eagles (8th) or Browns (2nd). There's an outside chance the Rams make a big deal to move up inside those picks to take him if he gets past the Cowboys. I think he would be a nice fit for Jay's West Coast/spread system if we were picking in the top-10 -- he's got solid accuracy from the pocket, a crisp release, good arm strength, and good football IQ, even if he's limited athletically.

I have him as the #1 QB in this class ahead of Carson Wentz although I believe neither are superior prospects to last year's Winston/Mariota combo. I also don't see Goff as being the second coming of Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady; he just seems to lack that special spice that turns a set of good abilities into a superstar package. Goff's ceiling to me is a capable starter like Matt Ryan, a guy that can play well enough to win given some pieces around him, but can't carry the team on his back.

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