Greg Cosell’s Draft Preview: Carson Wentz fitz Rams best (Podcast)
The Los Angeles Rams have an offensive identity, and Carson Wentz fits that identity better than Jared Goff.
As discussed in our episode of our new “The Shutdown” podcast, which you can listen to below (we also discussed many of the draft’s top quarterbacks in our first draft preview podcast), the Rams have a run-oriented offense. They have a foundation back in Todd Gurley, and he will be the focal point of what they do.
Run-first offenses with an I-back like Gurley usually have a quarterback line up under center in normal down-and-distance situations . He has to develop a drop-back pass game from under center and also a play-action game from under center. The play-action pass requires a quarterback to turn his back to the defense, snap his head around and locate the defense – which will be in a different place from where it was before he turned his back. That’s a skill learned over time. That’s not something learned in three practices. It’s also something Wentz has done. It’s something Goff has likely never done during his career because he’s an “Air Raid” quarterback who played from the shotgun.
It’s possible Goff could learn to do it. But there’s more layers of learning for Goff in this style of offense. Now, if the Rams believe Goff will be the better player three years from now, then they should draft him and teach him. But understand that it’ll take Goff longer to master the offense the Rams want to run.
Wentz is my No. 1 quarterback in this class, clearly ahead of Goff (you can see my full profile on Wentz here, and my full profile on Goff here). Add in the fact that Wentz is a better fit for the Rams and what they want to do on offense, Wentz is the better choice at No. 1. Also, for reasons discussed in the podcast, Goff fits in well with the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense, if he were to end up being the second pick.
Listen to more of my thoughts on Wentz, Goff and the rest of the quarterback class on this episode of the podcast:
PREVIOUS NFL DRAFT PREVIEWS FROM GREG COSELL
Comparing Carson Wentz to Andrew Luck is valid
Jared Goff’s strengths and flaws
Laquon Treadwell’s NFL WR comparisons
The case for Josh Doctson as draft’s No. 1 receiver
Ezekiel Elliott’s NFL transition
Derrick Henry needs the right scheme fit
Joey Bosa can do it all
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NFL analyst and NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell watches as much NFL game film as anyone. Throughout the season, Cosell will join Shutdown Corner to share his observations on the teams, schemes and personnel from around the league.
