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Jared Goff

Rams Select Jared Goff With No. 1 Pick

April 28th, 2016 at 7:15pm CST by Luke Adams

The Rams officially have a new face of the franchise. After sending a boatload of picks to Tennessee in exchange for the right to move up from No. 15 to No. 1, the Rams used that first overall pick to select California quarterback Jared Goff, who the franchise views as its long-term answer at quarterback as it makes the move to Los Angeles.Jared Goff

Goff, considered the most polished quarterback prospect in this year’s class by many analysts and observers, threw for nearly 8,700 combined yards and 78 touchdowns during his final two years in college. In 2015, he established new personal bests by completing 64.5% of his passes and throwing for 4,714 yards and 43 TDs.

While some experts prefer Carson Wentz‘s upside to Goff’s, our Rob DiRe ranked the Cal product as his No. 1 prospect at quarterback, writing that Goff’s “ability to work in a crowded pocket and deliver the football from unorthodox angles” is part of what makes him special.

After drafting a potential franchise running back last year in Todd Gurley, the Rams have now added another possible franchise player to their backfield in an attempt to fortify an offense that has frequently let down a talented defense in recent years. Having traded up to land Goff, Los Angeles now won’t make another pick until Saturday, when the fourth round gets underway, barring any additional trades.

Along with the No. 1 overall selection, the Rams received a 2016 fourth-round pick (No. 113), and a 2016 sixth-rounder (No. 177) in their deal with the Titans. However, the cost to acquire those three picks was steep — Tennessee got the Rams’ first-rounder this year (No. 15), two 2016 second-round picks (Nos. 43 and 45), a 2016 third-round pick (No. 76), and first- and third-round picks for 2017.

With Goff now in the mix, the Rams will have some decisions to make at the quarterback position, which is getting crowded. The team appears likely to keep Case Keenum, who received and signed a first-round RFA tender, and 2015 third-rounder Sean Mannion, which would make veteran QB Nick Foles the odd man out. Foles has reportedly drawn trade interest from “four or five” teams.

Pauline’s Latest: Falcons, Neal, Joseph, Titans

April 27th, 2016 at 9:59am CST by Luke Adams

Cal quarterback Jared Goff and North Dakota State signal-caller Carson Wentz are widely expected to come off the board in that order with the top two picks on Thursday night, but there’s some uncertainty about how the next several picks will play out.

After speaking to several people around the league, Tony Pauline of WalterFootball.com takes a shot at forecasting how picks three through eight will go. In Pauline’s view, the most probable scenario would see DeForest Buckner land with the Chargers, Jalen Ramsey to the Cowboys, Myles Jack to the Jaguars, Laremy Tunsil to the Ravens, Ronnie Stanley to the 49ers, and Joey Bosa to the Browns.

Ezekiel Elliott is a wild card – if he’s still on the board at No. 8, the Browns could potentially trade down with a team like the Dolphins – but otherwise Pauline’s predictions for the top eight seem entirely plausible. According to the draft scribe, the Chargers feel like they “desperately” need to add a standout defensive lineman, while the 49ers also covet Buckner, so that’s a situation worth watching too.

Here’s more from Pauline:

  • While Ohio State linebacker Darron Lee has frequently been linked to the Falcons at No. 17, Pauline hears that Clemson linemen Kevin Dodd and Shaq Lawson are also in play. According to Pauline, head coach Dan Quinn has been pushing for the team to select safety Keanu Neal, though that’s probably only a possibility if Atlanta trades down.
  • Washington wouldn’t mind trading down and nabbing West Virginia safety Karl Joseph, says Pauline.
  • According to Pauline, there’s a decent chance that the Titans will use one of their second-round picks to grab Ohio State wideout Braxton Miller, assuming the team doesn’t use any of those selections in a trade. Tennessee will also likely consider Buckeyes linebacker Joshua Perry on day two.
  • The Broncos plan on drafting a running back on day three, and Pauline hears that they like Auburn’s Peyton Barber in the neighborhood of the sixth round.
  • Teams are already talking to prospects and their agents in an effort to sign those players as undrafted free agents after the draft, and some clubs are creating “bad blood” with their approach to this process. According to Pauline, a couple teams have called potential UDFA targets and told them that they’re unlikely to be drafted. Those players are still optimistic about being mid-round selections, so being told that they’re likely to go undrafted has soured those players (and their agents) on those teams, per Pauline.

Schrager’s Latest: Joseph, Kelly, Giants

April 26th, 2016 at 6:50pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier tonight, Peter Schrager of FOX Sports took to Twitter to pass along his latest draft buzz. Here’s a rundown of everything:

Cole’s Latest: Lynch, Jets, Bills, Manziel, Brady

April 26th, 2016 at 6:01pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s the latest from Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (via video links):

  • The Bills and Jets are “extremely” interested in quarterback Paxton Lynch, according to multiple NFL executives who spoke with Cole. Both teams see Lynch as a future star in the NFL and know that they will have to move up into the high teens to possibly land him. The Browns pick at No. 8 and are said to be fond of the Memphis product, though that’s probably a little too high to pull the trigger on him. By the same token, the belief is that Lynch will move up the board with Jared Goff and Carson Wentz going in the top two.
  • The NFL will speed up its ongoing investigation into Johnny Manziel‘s domestic violence incident this week, an NFL source tells Cole. The expectation that Manziel will get a suspension of some length of time since he narrowly escaped a suspension for a previous incident. Meanwhile, the attorney for Manziel’s ex-girlfriend tells Cole that she is unaware of any NFL investigation at this time.
  • Two NFL owners tell Cole that they would like to see Brady and the NFL reach a settlement rather than drag things out in court and in the public. A growing number of owners apparently share this sentiment, he adds. Owners generally feel that some suspension is appropriate for Brady, though a four-game ban is too much.

NFC Draft Updates: Goff, Pack, Floyd, Cowboys

April 24th, 2016 at 7:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

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.

Draft Rumors: Goff, Wentz, Cardale, Dixon

April 21st, 2016 at 9:44pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Rams have completed their predraft visits with Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). After trading up the No. 1 overall pick, there’s no doubt Los Angeles will select a quarterback, but there’s still a little mystery as to which one. Goff seems to be the favorite, but with the Rams meeting with both he and Wentz this week, we aren’t likely to know definitely unless the club announces their pick ahead of next Thursday:

Here’s the latest on the draft (one week away!):

  • Goff and Wentz are two of several quarterbacks expected to be taken in the first round, but Ohio State’s Cardale Jones is one of the more interesting options that figures to be available on Day 2 or 3. As Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com writes, Jones has attracted the attention of both the Cardinals and the Chargers — each club will make the trek to Columbus to meet with the signal-caller. Arizona and its downfield passing attack, particularly, would mesh well with Jones’ skill-set.
  • Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon has had a pre-draft visit with the 49ers, a source tells Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. In 2012, Dixon’s 27 rushing touchdowns led the nation and set an NCAA record for freshmen. The powerful back is expected to be a mid-round pick at the end of this month.
  • Southern Utah safety Miles Killebrew had a private workout with Buccaneers secondary coach Brett Maxie, according to Jenna Laine (Twitter link). Killebrew has had a busy schedule, as he’s had workouts with the Patriots, Cardinals, Titans, Panthers, and Browns, per Laine (Twitter link).
  • Auburn wide receiver Ricardo Louis visited the Texans this week, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Louis is considered a pass-catcher, but per Wilson, he has done defensive back drills for some clubs.

Browns’ Sashi Brown On RGIII, Draft

April 21st, 2016 at 9:53am CST by Zachary Links

Minutes ago, Browns executive Sashi Brown addressed reporters and covered a wide range of topics, including the team’s quarterback position. Here are the highlights:

  • Many have assumed that Robert Griffin III is the Browns‘ de facto starting quarterback, but exec Sashi Brown says that’s not the case, as Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer tweets. “Robert is not even our starting quarterback. He’s got to earn the spot,” Brown said. If RGIII does not have the job locked up, that means the door could be open for Connor Shaw, Austin Davis, and Josh McCown.
  • There has been speculation that the Browns could trade down again, but Brown said that the team “really” likes the No. 8 spot, as Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald tweets. Brown mentioned the possibility of taking a defensive end, cornerback, or linebacker but did not mention wide receiver.
  • Moving back up from No. 8 is “possible” but “not likely,” says Brown (Twitter link via Albert Breer of NFL.com).
  • Brown says that he was “tempted to stay on the clock” at No. 2 but the team could not pass up the extra picks (Twitter link via Cabot).
  • Some believe that the Browns only wanted Jared Goff at No. 2, but Brown says that’s not the case (Twitter link via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal). Brown seems to imply that the team would have been comfortable taking Carson Wentz at No. 2, but there’s no way for us to know if that’s really the case.
  • The Browns did not consider a move up to No. 1, per Brown (Twitter link via Cabot).
  • While the team sees good quarterbacks in the second tier of this year’s class, Brown believes it is hard to find a franchise QB anywhere (Twitter link via Ulrich).
  • Brown would like to have some young talent at wide receiver (Twitter link via Ulrich). The team talked to some free agent WRs, but they did not wind up signing them.

Eagles Acquire No. 2 Pick From Browns

April 20th, 2016 at 12:49pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles and Browns have agreed to a trade that will send the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft to Philadelphia, the Eagles announced today (via Twitter). Along with the No. 2 overall pick in 2016, the Eagles will get a 2017 fourth-round pick from the Browns.Howie Roseman

In exchange, the Browns will receive the Eagles’ 2016 first-rounder (No. 8 overall), a third-round pick (No. 77), a fourth-round pick (No. 100), a 2017 first-round pick, and a 2018 second-round pick.

[RELATED: Rams acquire No. 1 pick from Titans]

The Eagles did a ton of homework in recent weeks on all of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s draft, with owner Jeffrey Lurie joining the team’s top football decision-makers during meetings and workouts. While some observers believed Philadelphia’s apparent interest in a QB was a smoke screen, it seems that interest was genuine.

With the Rams believed to be leaning toward taking California QB Jared Goff with the No. 1 overall pick, the Eagles are “all but assured” of drafting North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz, tweets Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Assuming Wentz is the pick, he’ll join Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel in a crowded Eagles’ quarterback picture. Bradford is on a short-term deal, which doesn’t include much guaranteed money beyond 2016, so the former No. 1 overall pick may not have much of a future in Philadelphia.

Although the Eagles didn’t have a second-round pick to trade this year as a result of 2015’s Bradford swap, the team was able to move up from No. 13 to No. 8 in a trade with the Dolphins involving Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso. That deal allowed Philadelphia to put an offer on the table for the Browns that gave Cleveland the opportunity to stay within the top 10 in 2016 while adding multiple mid-round selections in 2016 and early-round picks in 2017 and 2018.

Having moved from No. 2 to No. 8, the Browns could still take a quarterback in the first round if they really love a player like Paxton Lynch or even Connor Cook. But it appears the franchise decided that securing a boatload of additional picks was more important than using that No. 2 overall selection on Goff or Wentz. For now, that leaves Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown in the mix for the starting QB job in Cleveland, though the Browns figure to add a signal-caller at some point during the draft.

The deal is probably good news for other clubs drafting in the top six, with the possible exception of the Cowboys — the Chargers, Jaguars, and Ravens are now free to target the best non-quarterbacks in the draft, knowing that Goff and Wentz figure to come off the board within the top two picks. Reports had suggested that Dallas might be interested in one of those top two QBs, but it now appears that Jerry Jones‘ club should have its choice of top defensive prospects – including perhaps Jalen Ramsey – at No. 4.

With eight days remaining until the 2016 draft gets underway, the top two picks have now been dealt, and both teams trading out of those top spots are being run by new general managers. Time will tell whether Jon Robinson of the Titans and Sashi Brown of the Browns made the right calls, but they certainly weren’t reluctant to make major splashes within months of being hired.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

QB Notes: Goff, Wentz, 49ers, Rams, Eagles

April 18th, 2016 at 8:33pm CST by Dallas Robinson

California quarterback Jared Goff is meeting with the 49ers tonight, sources tell Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, who adds (via Twitter) that this is the third time Chip Kelly & Co. will have seen Goff, with the first two instances coming at Goff’s pro day and via a private workout. Goff, of course, is one of two primary options for the Rams with the No. 1 overall pick, so San Francisco would need a bit of luck for him to fall to the seventh pick. Even if the 49ers are able to trade up to No. 2, there’s no guarantee Goff won’t already be off the board.

Let’s dive into few more notes on the 2016 quarterback class…

  • We heard over the weekend that the Rams would meet with Goff and Carson Wentz again before deciding on whom to select with the first overall pick, and those meetings are expected to get underway tonight. Wentz will arrive in Los Angeles tonight, while Goff will visit with the Rams later in the week, reports Steve Wyche of NFL.com (Twitter link).
  • Reports have indicated that the Eagles are high on Wentz, and their attempted to trade up to No. 1 may have been to secure the North Dakota State signal-caller. Regardless of whether or not Philadelphia finds a way to land Wentz, head coach Doug Pederson clearly believes Wentz is “the real deal,” tweets Elliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com after listening to Pederson speak at a press conference today.
  • USC quarterback Cody Kessler has worked out for and/or visited the Chargers, Saints, Browns, and Lions, among others, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). At 6’1″ and 215 pounds, Kessler is slight, but he’s thrown for 88 touchdowns and just 19 interceptions during three seasons as the Trojans starter. Kessler is projected as a seventh-round pick or UDFA on CBSSports.com’s big board, but Rapoport hears that he could go a lot higher than is expected.

La Canfora’s Latest: Titans, Rams, Browns

April 17th, 2016 at 3:11pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s take a look at the latest from Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com…

  • Following up on his report from last week, La Canfora continues to hear that the Titans and general manager Jon Robinson are trying to trade back into the top 10 of the draft. “He’s moving back up,” one executive told La Canfora. “He has the ammo to do it and it’s heading in that direction.” While Tennessee might be able to stay at No. 15 and land someone like Michigan State’s Jack Conklin, the club could make a move for Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley or maybe even Ole Miss’ Laremy Tunsil, who was thought to be the Titans’ choice had they stayed at No. 1.
  • La Canfora has “yet to talk to an executive who does not believe” the Rams will take Cal’s Jared Goff with the first overall pick, as the belief is that Goff is more pro-ready than Carson Wentz, who spent his collegiate career at an FCS school. Wentz may need a few years to develop, and Los Angeles wants to contend immediately.
  • The Browns also prefer Goff, per La Canfora, which means they are a prime candidate to move off of the No. 2 pick (we first heard rumors of Cleveland making their pick available last week). While the Browns would be missing out on pass-rushers like Joey Bosa and DeForest Buckner, the optics of not passing on a quarterback at No. 2 is appealing.
  • Several executives believe the Browns should have already traded left tackle Joe Thomas, according to La Canfora. Cleveland could have used any draft capital they received from a Thomas deal to try to move up to No. 1, and have the chane to select the quarterback they truly want. Alternatively, trading Thomas would have made a Tunsil selction obvious.
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