Quarterbacks went one-two at Thursday’s NFL Draft as the Los Angeles Rams took Jared Goff with the first pick, and the Philadelphia Eagles followed suit by naming signal caller Carson Wentz with the second choice.
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As Goff was preparing for his introduction to the Southern California media, Vince Ferragamo and Jim Everett briefly interrupted to welcome the former Cal quarterback to town. Well, it turns out that the quarterback is a Bay Area native and a lifelong San Francisco Giants fan.
The Rams’ strategy was evident more than two weeks ago, when they traded up to select a quarterback.
Goff said he had struck up an instant rapport with Rams officials after he was scouted at the NFL Combine earlier this year.
“(Friday) night, I couldn’t get any sleep”, Cooper said.
The Baltimore Ravens had a record five selections in the fourth round, which began with pick No. 99 by the Cleveland Browns and included Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook (100th, Oakland Raiders) and Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones (139, Buffalo Bills).
“We’ve always had this philosophy that we’re going to play them when we think they’re ready”, head coach Jeff Fisher said. The Rams aren’t finding a No. 1 wide receiver this late in the draft, but they can still add another reliable target for Goff.
Team officials had been tight-lipped about their plans for the pick since they acquired the pick from the Titans.
“If you’re a first-round quarterback, there’s going to be pressure regardless. You know, I had an idea something like that was going to happen pretty soon and it did, it was very exciting”. Goff noted it’s been a long interview process leading up to the draft, and he’s eager to just start playing football again. “He helped us get to where we are today and we want to build off what he did for us”.
With the rest of their picks, the Rams made a decision to get some toys for Goff to throw too. Although he must adjust to being under center after three years in Cal coach Sonny Dykes’ Bear Raid offense, Goff believes National Football League speed will be the biggest factor in his adjustment to the pro game after three years in the Pac-12, which isn’t a slow conference.
One of the best tight ends in college football last season, Western Kentucky tight end Tyler Higbee is now part of the NFL after gettting selected #110 by the Los Angeles Rams.
Nick Foles and Case Keenum were unimpressive last season while St. Louis finished with the NFL’s least productive offense and passing game.
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Will Jared Goff be the opening day starter for the Los Angeles Rams? Snead and Fisher spent the second straight day feeling triumphant about their acquisition.
