Since shortly after the Rams traded for the Titans’ No. 1 pick, it’s been expected they’re planning to turn over their offensive keys to Jared Goff. That indeed remains the plan, Jordan Raanan of NJ.com tweets.
Set to make their first No. 1 overall pick since taking Sam Bradford in 2010, the Rams can negotiate with the Cal quarterback if they so choose. But the NFL, according to Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times, has asked the team to keep its choice private until the draft to increase the suspense.
Goff’s father, Jerry Goff, told Farmer he has a “pretty good idea” where his son will be beginning his professional career, however, without revealing the choice. Jared Goff dined with Kevin Demoff and Stan Kroenke on Thursday night in Los Angeles, Farmer adds.
This will mark the fifth time in the past nine drafts the Rams will have possessed a top-two pick. Only one of the previous players selected — Greg Robinson — remains on the roster.
Here’s the latest from the NFC on the eve of draft week.
- A team in need of inside-linebacking help told Yahoo.com’s Charles Robinson (Twitter link) the Packers are Reggie Ragland‘s basement. Green Bay picks at No. 27 and plans to relocate Clay Matthews back to his natural outside linebacker position, leaving unproven Sam Barrington and Jake Ryan as the incumbents pushing for starting jobs there. The Packers took Ryan in the fourth round last year but haven’t selected an inside ‘backer in the first round since A.J. Hawk in 2006.
- The Falcons, who sent 16 representatives to watch Leonard Floyd‘s pro day recently, worked out the Georgia linebacker on Saturday on campus, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Floyd weighed 235 pounds Saturday, which is down nine pounds from his Combine weigh-in, per Ledbetter. Picking 17th, the Falcons were impressed with the former Bulldogs ‘backer’s length and speed, Ledbetter notes. Atlanta-based agent Todd France, who represents Vic Beasley, also represents Floyd.
- With the Cowboys 7-20 since Tony Romo took the team’s reins at quarterback in October 2006 in games where the now-36-year-old passer sits, Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News wonders if Dallas should trade back into the first round to potentially acquire Connor Cook or Christian Hackenberg. Gosselin envisions a scenario not unlike the one in 2011 that saw Jake Locker and Christian Ponder be selected earlier than most thought as an example that for Paxton Lynch being chosen earlier than expected now that the Rams and Eagles are likely to take QBs at Nos. 1-2. Should that occur, Gosselin envisions players like Cook or Hackenberg potentially being taken again before the Cowboys’ second pick (No. 34).
- Robinson also points out (on Twitter) that Jerry Jones is a big Ezekiel Elliott fan, and that the Cowboys owner would prefer the Ohio State runner or Jalen Ramsey at No. 4. Conversely, Robinson connects the Cowboys front office as a whole to a choice between Ramsey and Joey Bosa.
what?? cook is a late 2nd early 3rd rounder and hackenberg is a 3rd or 4th rounder
Alot of people feel that this a weak crop of Qb’s though it may not get better for 3-5 years I feel that they will all be off the board by they end of the 3rd round.
AJ Hawk was a olb so havent selected a MLB since before Thompson took over in 2003 Nick Barnett. Thompson’s not taking a non-elite MLB prospect whcih means no Ragland in round 1
Hit the brakes! ‘Urrrrgggg”! Ragland is not for sure going 27th to the Packers if he does indeed drop that far. Last year we all thought the same thing when there was two ILB on the board and we ended up picking Randall. Everyone was pissed at first, myself included, but once I had heard he was moving to CB my pissyness went down a level or two. Even though I thought we could of gotten good value later on i.e. Rollins. Which we did thank God, but Ted Thompson is going with the best player available no matter what and he has proven that year in and year out. So if Ragland is there at 27 and hes our top ranked prospect he will definitely be chosen, but if there is a safety who happens to be our top ranked guy or an offensive lineman, well than you can bet were taking them and not Ragland if he is indeed still on the board. Point is Ted doesn’t draft based on need he always drafts BPA (Best Player Available). So in closing Ragland may not be our top guy and we maybe surprised with the pick or even a trade.