Cleveland Browns draft profile: Jared Goff

The Cleveland Browns have the second overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. Today we profile University of California Quarterback Jared Goff.

The 2015 NFL season has finally ended for the Cleveland Browns, meaning it is time to turn our eyes to the off-season and the Browns proverbial “Super Bowl”: the NFL Draft.

The Browns finished the 2015 NFL season a miserable 3-13, and will be picking in the top five of the NFL draft for the seventh time since their resurrection in the 1999 season. And if that wasn’t bad enough, this draft pick will be the 11th time since 1999 that the Browns have made a selection in the top 10.

Now keep in mind there are several key factors that the Browns will have to consider when preparing for the 2016 off-season. The biggest factor of course is head coach Hue Jackson filling out his coaching staff and the front office selecting a general manager, but for right now let’s just assume that the holes on the roster will take priority over the scheme.

With the staff and philosophies presumably in place, the Browns will need to evaluate their free agents; currently the Browns have five players slated to be unrestricted free agents: Tashaun Gipson, Craig Robertson, Mitchell Schwartz, Johnson Bademosi and Travis Benjamin. In addition, center Alex Mack has the ability to opt-out of his current deal.

Related: Cleveland Browns: Stay or go on these eight free agents?

By all accounts the Browns will look to upgrade and add depth at several positions on the field through the draft. Most notably the Browns have needs at several positions, including quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, five-technique defensive lineman, free safety and offensive line. Please keep in mind that things change and the Browns priorities will change as we get closer to free agency, the scouting combine and, ultimately, the NFL Draft.

In the months leading up to the draft we will evaluate players the Browns could or should have interest in. The profiles will try to include as much information as possible to prepare you for the NFL Draft, including videos and links to all appropriate football terminology.

With all of that said, let’s dive in!

Next: University of California Quarterback Jared Goff

Name

Jared Goff

Position

Quarterback

Height/Weight

6-foot-4, 215 pounds

School

University of California

Stats (Link)

2015 – 12 Games, 529 attempts, 341 completions, 64.5%, 4,719 yards, 43 touchdowns, 13 interceptions

2014 – 12 Games, 509 attempts,  316 completions, 62.1%, 3,973 yards, 35 touchdowns, 7 interceptions

2013 – 12 Games, 529 attempts,  318 completions, 60.1%, 3,488 yards, 18 touchdowns, 11 interceptions

2016 NFL Draft Range

Top 10 – 1st Round: University of California junior quarterback Jared Goff will forego his final season of college eligibility and enter the 2016 NFL Draft. Leading up to the Armed Forces Bowl it was still a question mark as to whether he would declare and head to the draft, but following a big performance in the bowl game that saw Goff throw six touchdown passes in a 55-36 victory over Air Force; it was a no-brainer for Goff to declare.

"“Goff is a smart, analytical film nerd and it shows on the field. A three-year starter, he’s developed well in the Bear Raid offense (a progression-based offense featuring plenty of run/pass options and largely based on downfield throws). Goff loves the game and spends his time off the field immersed in football.” – Matt Miller insider information"

Next: System Fit with the Browns

Goff is a question mark for the Browns only because at this point in the off-season we still have no idea who will be on head coach Hue Jackson‘s staff for next season.

But if we look at what the Browns offense should look like as the team moves forward under Jackson, the Browns will likely stick to his run-heavy, vertical-attacking offensive philosophy, which focuses on stretching the opposing defense horizontally. When the defense is stretched horizontally it creates space in the form of underneath and mid-ranged throws.

Related: Cleveland Browns draft profile: Joey Bosa

Now getting back to Goff, he fits into Jackson’s system due to his extensive work in the air-raid offense. Some may shake their heads at the notion that this offense has any cross-over in the NFL, but if we look merely at the concepts you can see the system fit for the Browns.

The above accuracy table, created by Ian Wharton, highlights the system match to some similar concepts and the accuracy that Goff possesses in the necessary areas that coach Hue Jackson prefers to attack the field.

Next: Skill Breakdown

Accuracy, vision and anticipation– Goff is at the top of the draft class for quarterbacks for a few important reasons. One is definitely his accuracy and anticipation; now many will argue that he is accurate because of the “Bear Raid” spread system, which is a valid argument. But you need to look deeper at the game film and see what Goff has and where his potential translates to the NFL.

Goff is most accurate when throwing mid-range routes, and can easily attack zone and man coverages. Goff has a feel for the offense and on film you will notice his ability to go through his read’s and find the open receiver.

Where Goff struggles are on deep routes where he is unable to hit receivers in stride, and more often than not the receivers have to adjust their routes to get to the football.

"“As accurate a thrower as I’ve ever seen. He gets rid of the ball quickly, he reads the coverage’s fairly well, and it’s right on the money every single time.” – San Diego State head coach Rocky Long “Goff displays passing anticipation downfield, a resilient approach and coordinated feet in the pocket, which are always in sync with his body rhythm and allow him to reset his vision and find the open read. He clearly has room for improvement in several areas, but Goff is the type of quarterback who understands his deficiencies and what he needs to do in order to improve. And that’s why scouts are optimistic for his future.” – Dane Brugler & Rob Rang"

In the video above, Goff uses his vision and patience to work through his reads and find the open receiver. Read one is the split end receiver (X); read two is to the flanker (Z); and finally he comes back to the middle for his third read to the slot receiver (Y). Goff recognizes the gap and throws the slot receiver open; showing both touch and accuracy.

Arm strength – Goff has average arm strength, which might not cut it in the AFC North. The good news is he is young and likely can get stronger and fill out his frame.  He can easily put on weight and strength to help develop better punch and accuracy on the deep throws.

Even though his arm strength at the moment is maybe a question mark, his accuracy on his vertical routes is undeniable and the numbers show Goff’s abilities. He has the arm strength and consistency to have a success rate of nearly 50 percent on  throws to the right and left of the field of 20-plus yards, and 75 percent on throws between the numbers for 20-plus yards.

In the video above, Goff shows off his arm strength and accuracy. The play puts the split end receiver (X) in man-to-man coverage. Goff recognizes the safety is in cover center, which puts the X receiver in isolation. Goff makes a perfect throw from the right side hash to the left outside shoulder of the receiver. The ball placement is perfect putting only where the receiver can catch the ball.

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Pocket presence and escapability – Pocket presence is a football term you’re going to hear a lot during the NFL draft season, as it relates generally to the ability of a quarterback to remain composed while organized chaos explodes around him in the pocket.

This is a part of Goff’s game that is polished and ready for the next level. Goff’s foot work and his pocket presence is one of the many aspects that sets him apart from the other quarterback prospects in this draft class. Goff recognizes coverages and has a true feel for the pocket, and knows when to climb the pocket to avoid the rush and find the open throw.

There’s an old saying that holds true when it comes to the quarterback position: “If you want to know how comfortable a quarterback is, watch the feet.” Goff is by no means a dual-threat quarterback, but when it comes to his ability to escape the pocket and scramble, he looks comfortable in his ability to take what the defense gives him and, when necessary, roll-out and make a throw, or pick-up a first down with his feet.

In the video above, Goff shows off his wheels; the pocket begins to collapse and he doesn’t have an open receiver, so he tucks the ball and takes what the defense gives him. It is also important to note that he doesn’t dive for the first down, but instead slides and avoids taking a big hit.

What do you think about the Browns targeting Jared Goff in the 2016 NFL Draft?

The video clips were provided courtesy of DraftBreakdown.com; Football terms are courtesy of the fine work of Insidethepylon.com