Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff ranked as the sixth-best player from the 2016 NFL Draft

NFL Network’s David Carr has taken a look back at the 2016 NFL Draft in a redraft of the players he has tabbed for his top 10. Despite being the first pick in the draft, Carr ranked Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff as the sixth-best player from that year’s draft. For Rams fans, the initial reaction might be to view that ranking as a slight against our System QB, because he was selected first overall. It’s actually two spots higher than his ranking among the class back in 2016 when the NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah had Goff as the draft’s 8^th-best prospect.

Back then Jeremiah projected:

Goff was a three-year starter at quarterback for the Bears . He has the desired height for the position and a lean, narrow frame. He operates in the shotgun in the Bears’ air-raid attack. Everything about him is quick: Quick feet, quick eyes, quick release. It’s not all pick and stick in this version of the spread offense. There are plenty of examples where he reads left to right and delivers the ball. He doesn’t have a huge arm but he throws a pretty ball and he can fit it into tight windows. He will try to force the ball on occasion, which has led to some turnovers. He doesn’t look to run often but he is athletic inside the pocket to avoid trouble and extend plays. He is very tough and doesn’t flinch under heavy pressure. Overall, Goff will need some time to adjust to an NFL offense but he has all of the necessary tools to be a solid starter at the next level.

It seems fair to say Jeremiah gave a pretty accurate summation of Goff the prospect back in 2016.

Now in 2018, Carr has him up two spots to sixth and says this:

Goff has gotten better and better with each passing year, taking huge leaps in each of Sean McVay’s first two seasons as Rams head coach. In 2018, he set career highs in several categories (64.9 completion percentage, 4,688 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns) and helped the Rams string together a 13-3 season that ended in the Super Bowl. Goff’s postseason performance wasn’t great, but the continuity on L.A.’s offense will allow him to immediately get back on track in September. With slot receiver Cooper Kupp back in the fold and hopefully a more healthy Todd Gurley, Goff should be headed for another career year.

Carr has Goff ranked behind Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott, New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas, Jacksonville Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey, Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill, and Los Angeles Chargers DE Joey Bosa.

Perhaps the more important ranking is where Goff stands among that year’s quarterback crop. Goff is ranked ahead of both Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz (8^th) and Cowboys QB Dak Prescott which is good since the Rams opted to pick Goff first that year. Clearly, the pick was justifiable due to the overall importance of the quarterback position, even if guys like Ezekiel Elliot and Ramsey are terrific players.

Behind Goff, Carr’s top ten is rounded out by Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones, Wentz, Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones, and Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard.

It’s hard to argue against any of the players that Carr included, however in such a deep draft there was plenty of talent that didn’t make the list, including:

• Miami Dolphins CB Xavien Howard
• San Francisco 49ers DT DeForest Buckner
• Falcons S Keanu Neal
• Saints DT Sheldon Rankins
• Cowboys QB Dak Prescott
• Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue
• Green Bay Packers NT Kenny Clark
• Indianapolis Colts C Ryan Kelly
• Eagles RB Jordan Howard
• Cleveland Browns LB Joe Schobert
• Rams LB Cory Littleton
• Falcons TE Austin Hooper
• Bears G Cody Whitehair