Random Ramsdom: Jared Goff ranked 24th among starting NFL quarterbacks

It’s a weird time to evaluate Jared Goff.

The guy is still one of the younger starters in the NFL and he’s got a Super Bowl appearance on his resume already, but not many evaluators view him as one of the top guys at his position. In fact, in Bleacher Report’s latest rankings of the NFL’s 32 starting QBs, Goff came in at No. 24, good for the ninth-worst at the position.

“This is a tricky one,” says author Brad Gagnon. “On one hand, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff is a two-time Pro Bowler with top-pick pedigree and a Super Bowl run on his resume. On the other hand, the 25-year-old has seen his statistics decline rapidly ever since bombing in Super Bowl LIII, and it’s fair to wonder if his success in 2017 and 2018 had more to do with Sean McVay’s system and a loaded supporting cast than Goff’s abilities.

This season will go a long way in determining whether or not Goff was worth his huge contract or not. The team doesn’t have Todd Gurley anymore and the NFL has had one more year to pin down the Rams’ zone offense that Sean McVay has mastered. Goff is going to be the guy the offense looks to when it comes to making a play and there’s no better way to figure out if he’s got “it” then being thrust into that spot, whether he’s ready for it or not.

“Before that system and support were there, the California product was legendarily bad while losing all seven of his starts as a rookie. Combine that with his 22-to-16 touchdown-to-interception ratio, 86.5 passer rating and abysmal numbers on deep balls in 2019, and you’re allowed to be concerned about Goff’s current trajectory.”

“That’s why he ranks this low despite posting massive numbers in the two seasons sandwiched by those ugly campaigns.”

The loss of Gurley and Brandin Cooks were mitigated by the selection of rookies Cam Akers and Van Jefferson in this year’s draft. While the talent around him is still fairly young, Goff still has a better-than-average surrounding cast compared to a number of other NFL teams.

Time will always tell, but 24th among 32 is far too low for the former No. 1-overall pick.

Now for today’s links.

Rams News:

Stu Jackson lists his thoughts from the Rams’ second scrimmage at SoFi Stadium (TheRams.com)

Stu Jackson discusses his 10 observations from the team’s second scrimmage (TheRams.com)

The Rams’ RB coach says he wants a clear-cut starter during the season (The Rams Wire)

Bret Stuter wonders what the Rams should do with DT A’Shawn Robinson (Ramblin’ Fan)

NFL News:

The Jaguars cut RB Leonard Fournette after three seasons (ESPN)

Bill Barnwell discusses the “achilles heel” of 20 contenders in the NFL this season (ESPN)

Brad Gagnon ranks all 2020 starting quarterbacks (Bleacher Report)

The Vikings traded for Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue on Sunday (Bleacher Report)

The Eagles will lose WR Jalen Reagor for a few weeks with a labrum tear (Pro Football Talk)

Cody Benjamin ranks the NFL’s 32 pass-rushing duos (CBS Sports)