Jared Goff and Carson Wentz: Pro-Ready Vs. Upside
By Erik Lambert
The debate that has begun to spread across the entire 2016 NFL draft landscape is nothing new. It’s two quarterbacks rising to the top of the discussion for who will or should be the first one off the board. There is Jared Goff out of California, a tall, lanky passer who prefers to stand tall in the pocket and relies on his vision and accurate throws. The “pro-style” quarterback as many would call it.
Then there is Carson Wentz, a physically gifted young man coming almost out of nowhere from Division I-FCS school North Dakota State. He’s big, boasts a strong arm and has surprising athleticism to move and run with the ball. It’s a compare/contrast situation that is in a new disguise but remains the same argument draft experts have had for decades.
Should the one with the higher upside be first off the board or the one more ready to play?
My feeling has been that Jared Goff came out of the season as the top QB. Carson Wentz has made up ground. They're neck-and-neck now.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 17, 2016
Perhaps history can offer some answers. There have been a number of similar scenarios in which the pro-ready passer faces the more gifted adversary. Do the end results favor one or the other. Here are five such notable scenarios that fans might remember.
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