Los Angeles Rams: Breaking Down Goff vs. Wentz

Will it be Carson Wentz or Jared Goff for the Los Angeles Rams?  This breakdown may help provide an answer.

No matter what sort of misdirection they offer, the Los Angeles Rams are taking a quarterback.  They just won’t say which one because they don’t want to kill the excitement ahead for the 2016 NFL draft and also because, perhaps they still aren’t sure.  They have two intriguing choices topping the board in Jared Goff of Cal and Carson Wentz of North Dakota State.  What will be the hard part is figuring out which one is worth the massive package of draft picks they gave away to the Tennessee Titans.  Who will turn their franchise into the perennial playoff contender most believe they should’ve been by now.

In order to find some answers on this question, it might be best to break down each player in the simplest format and deduce from there.

Jared Goff

PROS:

• More pro ready.  Can run an up-tempo passing attack.
• Has handled frequent pressure in his face and learned how to adjust.
• Good ball placement and accuracy
• Better college numbers
• More experience
• California native

CONS:

• Still thin for a quarterback, leading to durability concerns
• Not a statue but not a runner by any means
• Small hands.  Can sometimes lead to mishandling ball, either throwing or not fumbling
• Can’t get himself out of funks if he’s having a bad game.  Piles up mistakes

Carson Wentz

PROS:

• Stronger arm
• Bigger hands, able to grip the ball well
• Smooth, compact release that gets the pass off quick
• Taller and bigger
• Better runner.  Can scramble or tuck the ball and run for 1st downs
• A winner.  Started on two championship teams

CONS:

• Played inferior competition at FCS level
• Missed games with injury
• Just two years of starting experience
• Modest numbers as a passer
• Coming from a simpler offense

Based on this outline it’s clear the 2016 draft is reflecting another case of “experience vs. upside.”  There is no doubt Goff is more prepared to make the leap to the pros.  He has seen top talent that will be in the NFL across from him and done well against it.  There are fewer unknowns about him.

On the other hand, Wentz is the greater physical specimen.  He can do more on the field from an individual standpoint, make more plays.  If he were to reach his full potential, odds say he has the greater career.  It’s just that he’s never seen the kind of defensive speed and intelligence he will in the NFL.  Whether he’ll adjust to that is a big if.

So what it comes down to is what the Los Angeles Rams are looking for.  Do they want somebody who is ready to play immediately but might not get much better than he is now or do they want a guy who could use some work on his game but has a much higher ceiling?  That will come down to head coach Jeff Fisher and how much he trusts his ability to develop.