Los Angeles Rams “Expected” To Draft Jared Goff
By Erik Lambert
The Los Angeles Rams have betrayed nothing as to their preferences going into the 2016 draft regarding the quarterbacks. The rest of the NFL feels differently.
According to Jordan Raanan, a beat writer for NJ.com and who covers the New York Giants, believes the Rams have all but made their choice already.
Heard Goff is 99.9% the pick at No. 1. The entire league knows it #nfl https://t.co/8qEXPowe65
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) April 24, 2016
This falls in line with the initial predicts made last week. Jared Goff is widely considered the most pro-ready quarterback in the class. His mix of size, arm strength, pocket poise and toughness are what teams look for in a starter. Having lived through years of mediocrity at the position, the Rams are committed to finally solving their problem and to get their team over the hump to the playoffs. They have a solid, young roster in place featuring a Pro Bowl running back in Todd Gurley and a strong defense. It’s the ideal environment for a rookie quarterback.
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The interest in somebody like Goff goes deeper than that though. The Rams have just made the move from St. Louis to Los Angeles. This presents significant challenges, most notably finding a way to ignite interest from the local fans. Sure, there are still old groups of faithful back during the first incarnations of the L.A. Rams but they are few. In order to get over and help the organization thrive, the team needed to find a way to get attention. Positive attention. Their first step was making a blockbuster trade up to the #1 overall pick, and next would be to take a quarterback.
Not just any quarterback though. Goff is a California kid to the bone. He was born in Novato, took Kentfield High School to a state title game and has helped resuscitate Cal University from an afterthought to a resurgent power in the Pac-12. What better way to get California fans invested in their football agenda than by scooping up one of their own to make it happen?
It’s a smart PR move by the Rams that should yield results on Sundays.