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Rams kick off new era with 1st overall pick Jared Goff

Jerry Lai / USA TODAY Sports

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The Los Angeles Rams have selected quarterback Jared Goff out of California with the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

The Rams let the intrigue go down to the wire, taking all 10 minutes on the clock before turning in the pick, but all indications are they zeroed in on Goff early in the draft process and made sure to get their man.

In Goff, the Rams get a highly accurate passer who displays the rare ability to maneuver away from pressure inside the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield - and who may be only scratching the surface of his potential.

The pick is the culmination of what could be the most eventful offseason in franchise history. In January, NFL owners voted to approve the Rams' plan to relocate from St. Louis back to Los Angeles, where the team played from 1946-1994.

In February, at the scouting combine, Rams general manager Les Snead put the wheels in motion for what would eventually become his team's blockbuster trade with the Tennessee Titans for the first overall pick in the draft.

For the right to draft Goff, the Rams traded the 15th overall pick in this year's draft, two second-round picks (Nos. 43 and 45), a third-round pick (No. 76), as well as their first- and third-round picks in 2017.

In many ways, it's the reverse of the Rams' historic trade with the Washington Redskins in 2012 (a deal that sent Robert Griffin III to the nation's capital). That trade netted the Rams a bounty of picks they used to stock their roster with talent. But they entered this offseason still lacking the final piece: a franchise quarterback.

Goff can be that player and perhaps much more. Still only 21 years old, Goff is a Califonia native who will step into the L.A. sports scene fresh off the retirement of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. It's not hard to imagine Goff becoming not only the face of the NFL in L.A., but the biggest sporting star in the City of Angels.

Jared Goff Bio

Position: QB
School: California
College Experience: Junior
Height: 6-4
Weight: 215 lbs.

Strengths

  • Three-year starter in college.
  • Moves exceptionally well in the pocket. Understands how to manipulate space to find open receivers.
  • Calm under pressure. He maintains a solid base, stays patient, and keeps his eyes downfield.
  • Possesses above-average mobility. Can extend plays with his legs and is adept at throwing on the run.
  • Has a compact, quick release that allows him to often negate pressure.
  • His arm strength is solid, if unspectacular. Has the ability to make all the throws, despite his lack of a cannon.
  • Showed off the ability to go through his progressions, reset his feet, and hit a second or third read, although the system didn't require this often.

Weaknesses

  • Played almost exclusively out of the shotgun in college, meaning he'll need to learn how to operate under center in the NFL.
  • Inconsistent ball placement, especially on underneath throws, minimizes his receiver's ability to produce after the catch.
  • Doesn't possess ideal size at 215 pounds.
  • Small hand size could lead to struggles in poor weather and issues with fumbles.
  • Deep accuracy leaves much to be desired. Often overshoots his receivers and rushes the pass.
  • Does lack zip on more difficult routes, such as the deep out.
  • Rarely asked to fit passes into tight windows in Cal's spread offense.

Combine Results

Event Result
40-yard Dash 4.82 sec
Bench Press N/A
Vertical Jump 27 inches
Broad Jump 110 inches
3-Cone Drill 7.17 sec
20-yard Shuttle N/A

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