(Editor's Note: With less than a month until the start of the 2016 NFL Draft on April 28, the staff of DallasCowboys.com intends to preview the landscape of possible Cowboys draft picks – from the top of the first round to the bottom of the talent pool. Today's featured player is Cal quarterback Jared Goff.)
Name: Jared Goff
Position: Quarterback
College: California
Height/Weight: 6-4/215
Honors: Goff was a First Team All-Pac-12 selection in 2015 and a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award given to college football's most outstanding quarterback.
Key Stat: Goff set 26 Cal records in 37 starts over three seasons, according to his school bio, including completions, passing yards per game and touchdown passes. His teammates also voted him a team captain for his sophomore and junior seasons.
Where He's Projected:All the pre-draft mock drafts seem to agree on this: Goff, Carson Wentz and Paxton Lynch are the consensus three best quarterback prospects, and Goff's a virtual certainty to be selected by a team somewhere in the first round, possibly as high as the top 10.
How He Helps the Cowboys: Well, team owner/general manager Jerry Jones has said more than once he doesn't believe the team must draft a quarterback early because he expects Tony Romo to play several more seasons. But, the organization could look for a developmental player at some point in the draft, and Goff is clearly among the top three prospects. With prototypical frame and arm strength and accuracy, he checks the boxes for a prospective starting NFL quarterback. Drafting any quarterback at No. 4 would mean a major investment in a player who, if Romo stays healthy, wouldn't be expected to contribute anytime soon. With Romo turning 36 this month and the Cowboys looking to win now, the fourth overall pick could produce an impact player at another position. Still, the team is understandably doing its due diligence on all prospects, including Goff and the draft's other top QBs.[embeddedad0]
Scout's Take: As physical tough as they come when comes to standing in the pocket. Offensive line gave up a ton of shots and he was able to answer the bell. Competitive. Plays in a shotgun offense; is just now working on his game from underneath center. Arm talent is there; can make the throw across the field, right hash - left sideline. Can throw the ball on the move. Nice touch underneath. Will lead the receiver. Can throw receivers open. Accuracy is good, inside the numbers and out. Accuracy is good under duress. Plenty of snaps where he is having to deal with a man in his face. Gets the ball out quick. Instinctive player. Not many games where he made poor decisions with the ball. His game elevated his teammates around him. – Bryan Broaddus
