There was a time when a quarterback selected with the first overall draft pick not playing right away would raise absolutely zero eyebrows.
It was understood that making the leap from college to the pros as a quarterback was not an easy transition. Speed of the game, complexity of NFL offenses, and a general desire to protect the confidence of the guy to whom you’re going to be entrusting the franchise for years to come. When Peyton Manning started right away as a rookie for the Colts, it was not really the norm.
Jared Goff went first overall to the Rams this past spring, and according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, might be in line for his debut start next week:
Los Angeles Rams rookie quarterback Jared Goff could start his first NFL game as early as next Sunday at home against the Miami Dolphins, league sources told ESPN.
If Case Keenum struggles Sunday against the New York Jets, the Rams will consider going to the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft as early as next week, when they return to Los Angeles to host the Dolphins. The Rams would like to trot out Goff for his first NFL start at home, in front of a friendly and receptive crowd. But before Los Angeles makes that decision, it wants to see how Keenum plays Sunday.
Goff sitting for ten weeks on a mediocre team before making his debut doesn’t seem like it should be that big of a deal, yet a variety of factors have combined to make it seem that way. The Rams made a major investment in Goff. More than just landing the #1 pick, they traded a haul of draft assets to move up for him. And then they hosted Hard Knocks in training camp, which focused heavily on Goff, who did not always appear in the best light.
People were concerned he was, well, bad. He didn’t assuage fears in the preseason, and actually started the year third on the depth chart. And the names in front of him, Case Keenum and Sean Mannion, weren’t exactly a murderer’s row of arm talent. And then other rookie quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz came in playing very good football. It’s easy to look at those guys and think that Goff is somehow behind the curve.
But that’s not necessarily how development works. Players all have their own timelines. Goff sitting for multiple seasons wouldn’t have been considered strange all that long ago; he apparently might get a chance to play as quickly as eleven weeks into the year. That doesn’t sound that bad.
It’s entirely possible that he’ll never justify the trade for him, or his selection at the top of the draft. That’s how player evaluation works, across all sports. But it’s much too soon to write anyone off.
[ESPN]
