NFL draft first round: Rams pick Jared Goff, Laremy Tunsil has wild night and Myles Jack remains undrafted

It wasn’t the determining factor in their decision to select Jared Goff with the first pick of the NFL draft, but the Rams did like the way Goff, who started for three years at California, helped the Bears improve from 1-11 in 2013, to 5-7 in 2014 to 8-5 last season, with a victory over Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl.

“He became the face of Cal as a freshman and went 1-11,” Rams General Manager Les Snead said. “Then you saw a progression in his play, and the play of others, the team, and it consummated with a bowl-game win.

“Being able to go through 1-11 and bounce back and put the thing on his back … it’s similar to what you have to go through in the NFL, though we’re not planning on going 1-11.”

Goff completed 60.3% of his passes for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a freshman. His touchdown-interception ratio improved dramatically as a sophomore, when he completed 62.1% of his passes for 3,973 yards, 35 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Goff passed for 4,719 yards with 43 touchdowns and a 64.5% completion rate as a junior in 2015, including 467 yards and six touchdown passes in the bowl-game win.

Goff has enough arm strength to complete deep balls down the sideline and the touch and accuracy to complete short- and medium-range passes with efficiency. And he showed toughness and excellent mobility as a freshman at Cal, when he played behind an overmatched offensive line.

“It’s definitely something I carry with me forever,” Goff said of that 1-11 freshman season at Cal. “I gained a lot of character that year and a lot of maturity and resilience. It’s something that’s going to help me along the way.”

×

Rams Coach Jeff Fisher and General Manager Les Snead meet with the media after selecting California quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.

The Rams studied hours and hours of game film of quarterbacks Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, they scouted them in college and at the NFL combine, met with each player three times and worked them out individually, and spoke to dozens of people who are close to them.

“We did our research,” Rams Coach Jeff Fisher said. “We did our due diligence.”

So what, in the end, separated Goff, the California star whom the Rams selected with the No. 1 pick, from Wentz, the North Dakota State star who went to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 2?

“I’m gonna talk about Jared; I don’t need to compare him to Carson,” Fisher said. “Jared has a skill set that is special. He sees the field, has a quick release, he understands the quarterback position, he’s gonna get rid of the football, he’s extremely competitive. When you look at his body at work, it’s impressive.”

The 6-foot-4, 218-pound Goff has drawn comparisons to Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers for his size, arm strength, accuracy, pocket mobility, decision-making and field demeanor. Is there anyone Fisher, who has been an NFL head coach for 20 years, would compare Goff to?

“Over the years, I’ve tried not to draw comparisons from one player to the next,” Fisher said. “He’s unique. I’m hoping at some point along the way that someone will draw the comparison to Jared Goff.

×

Bill Plaschke, Mike DiGiovanna and Lindsey Thiry discuss Jared Goff, the Rams No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.

Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M -- The 6-6, 315-pounder is built for the NFL. Somewhat of a surprise selection in the first round, he has the athleticism to play on the edge and the ability to block on the interior.

Comment: Ifedi can play either tackle or guard, but with defections on Seahawks offensive line, he will be a welcome addition.

--Sam Farmer

The list of college quarterbacks who have excelled in the so-called “Air Raid” offense — an uptempo, pass-heavy, no-huddle, four-wideout, no-tight-end attack — and struggled in the NFL is long, with Johnny Manziel, Tim Couch, Jason White, Geno Smith, Brandon Weeden, Kevin Kolb and Graham Harrell to name a few.

Jared Goff, the Rams’ No. 1 pick in Thursday night’s draft, played in a similar offense at California, taking 99.8% of his snaps from the pistol or shotgun formation.

But the Rams believe Goff will quickly adjust to an under-center, pro-style offense and eventually master the footwork and lower-body mechanics required of a drop-back passer.

“If you look at his college career, there’s a natural instinct to anticipate, to get the ball out quickly, to read coverages quickly, to get to the second and third reads quickly,” General Manager Les Snead said. “There’s some DNA that just comes naturally. Whether you’re in an Air-Raid offense or not, you notice that special quality in players.”

Goff, who has drawn comparisons to Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers because of his size, arm strength, accuracy, pocket mobility, decision-making and field demeanor, is eager to start the transition.

“There’s a lot of stuff that translates,” Goff said. “I haven’t seen enough of the playbook to know exactly what those are. But from what I’ve seen, a lot of passing concepts and a lot of shotgun concepts translate.”

×

Rams Coach Jeff Fisher and General Manager Les Snead meet with the media after selecting California quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.

(Acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs)

Joshua Garnett, OG, Stanford -- A powerful blocker who is the son of former NFL nose guard Scott Garnett. He’s quick to the point of attack and uses his 6-foot-4, 310-pound frame well.

Comment: Chip Kelly wants to establish the running game, so the 49ers might have found a replacement for Mike Iupati.

--Sam Farmer

Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech – In 49 games during his four-year career, Butler tallied 170 tackles. He earned All-Conference USA honors last season.

Comment: Panthers needed to fortify the middle of their defensive front, and some evaluators see Butler as the most talented DT in class.

--Sam Farmer

Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Mississippi – Nkemdiche was a finalist last season for the Paul Hornung Award, given to college football’s most versatile player. He’s also a character risk who scared off a lot of teams.

Comment: Cardinals, who like their locker room leaders, take a character risk to beef up the inside of their pass rush. Nkemdiche is highly talented.

--Sam Farmer

Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA -- The 6-3, 315-pounder finished second for the Bruins in tackles (75), tackles for loss (11) and sacks (six) despite lining up in the interior. Clark also batted down five passes last season.

Comment: Excellent player at UCLA, but it’s amazing that Kenny Clark would come off the board before teammate Myles Jack. Clark strengthens the Packers interior defense.

--Sam Farmer

Artie Burns, CB, Miami -- The 6-foot, 193-pounder had six interceptions last season as a junior and was one of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s best cornerbacks. He possesses good hands and closing speed.

Comment: The Steelers take a cornerback in the first round for the first time since selecting Chad Scott in 1997. Secondary badly needs help.

--Sam Farmer

There is enough pressure with being the top pick in the NFL draft. California quarterback Jared Goff, selected by the Rams with the No. 1 pick Thursday night, will have the added expectation of being the star attraction in a star-driven city that hasn’t had an NFL team for 21 years.

The Rams have no doubt Goff can handle it.

“There’s nothing too big for Jared,” Rams Coach Jeff Fisher said. “It’s football, he’s going to handle everything he needs to handle. … When you say pressure, we’re not putting pressure on him. There’s a lot of undue pressure placed on quarterback during the work week and on Sundays.

“We’re going to take that away and protect him and allow him to play, because that’s what he is, a quarterback and a football player. He has the personality to embrace the market, to be a face of the franchise, but he also understands that it’s not up to him, it’s collectively up to the rest of the team.”

Goff said being the No. 1 pick is “unbelievable, something … I’m going to treat as an honor, and it comes with a responsibility that I don’t take lightly.”

But he did not seem fazed by the label.

“I’ll handle it just like I’ve handled every game I’ve ever played in,” Goff said on a conference call. “It’s just another thing that I don’t think is going to affect me much.”

×

Bill Plaschke, Mike DiGiovanna and Lindsey Thiry discuss Jared Goff, the Rams No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.

(Acquired pick in trade with Seattle Seahawks)

Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis – The 6-foot-7 Lynch completed 66.8% of his passes last year and has uncommon speed for such a big quarterback. His hands are so big that he can hold six tennis balls at once.

Comment: The Broncos lost Brock Osweiler in free agency and add a player who can compete with Mark Sanchez for starting job.

--Sam Farmer

William Jackson III, CB, Houston – Five of Jackson’s nine career interceptions came last season, when he led the nation with 28 passes defended.

Comment: The Bengals were in the hunt for a receiver, but instead they grab the corner that their bitter division rival, Pittsburgh, wanted.

--Sam Farmer

Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss – Treadwell recovered from a broken fibula and dislocated ankle in late 2014 to lead the SEC in receiving last season with 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Comment: The Vikings were 31st in pass offense last season. First time in NFL draft history that a WR has gone in three consecutive picks.

- Sam Farmer

Josh Doctson, TCU – Doctson missed the final three games last season because of a wrist injury but still put up excellent receiving numbers: 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Comment: Doctson isn’t ridiculously fast, but he’s a good jump-ball receiver. Redskins pass on a defender to give Kirk Cousins a target.

-- Sam Farmer

(Traded from Washington Redskins)

Will Fuller, Notre Dame – The lanky Fuller is blistering fast. He was his team’s offensive player of the year in 2014, and has route-running ability to go with his speed.

Comment: Fuller is second in school history with 30 career TDs. He gives the Texans a No. 2 threat.

- Sam Farmer

Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State – Lee plays big in the biggest games. Against Alabama in the 2014 Sugar Bowl, he earned defensive MVP honors with seven tackles and two sacks. In high school, he played quarterback, receiver, safety and kick returner.

Comment: Lee is the fifth Ohio State player to go in the first 20 picks. Todd Bowles passes on QB to build his perfect beast on defense.

-- Sam Farmer

Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson – A first-team All-ACC pick last season, Lawson had 12½ sacks and 25½ tackles for loss. He and Kevin Dodd were bookends at Clemson.

Comment: The Bills had a franchise-low 21 sacks last season. Lawson had 20 career sacks in college and led the country with 12½ last season.

-- Sam Farmer

Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama : A three-year starter, Kelly won the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top center, and shared the honors of best blocker in the Southeastern Conference with Arkansas’ Sebastian Tretola.

Comment: According to NFL.com, Colts quarterbacks have been hit an NFL-high 450 times since Andrew Luck was drafted in 2012. Need protection.

-- Sam Farmer

Keanu Neal, S, Florida: Made 95 tackles despite missing two games last season.

Comment: Neal started just 19 games in his college career, but the Falcons think he’s ready. Atlanta needs to shore up porous defense.

-- Sam Farmer

Taylor Decker, T, Ohio State – A three-year starter, Decker helped the Buckeyes to a 50-4 record in four seasons. In 2015, he anchored the offensive line for a team that averaged 245.2 yards rushing.

Comment: The Lions need a right tackle to help protect Matthew Stafford and pave the way for the run. Defenders can wait.

-- Sam Farmer

Corey Coleman, Baylor – Coleman won the Biletnikoff Award as college football’s top receiver, catching 74 balls for 1,363 yards with 20 touchdowns.

-- Sam Farmer

Laremy Tunsil, Mississippi – A three-year starter at Ole Miss, Tunsil was suspended for seven games last year for receiving improper benefits. He’s an excellent pass blocker who can cover a lot of ground.

Comment: Tunsil takes a plunge after video of him smoking marijuana surfaces on Twitter just before draft. Once seen as No. 1 overall pick.

-- Sam Farmer

Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia : Was having an All-America-type season until he hurt his knee in practice during the second month of the season.

Comment: The Raiders need to upgrade at safety and Joseph has drawn comparisons to Seattle’s rangy Earl Thomas. Raiders pass on Myles Jack.

-- Sam Farmer

Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville -- The 6-1, 299-pounder had 14 sacks playing on the interior for the Cardinals. The playmaker gets off the ball very fast, with blockers often unable to get to him.

Comment: Saints gave up an NFL-record 45 touchdown passes last season, so what do they do? They get someone who can cave in a passer’s pocket.

---Sam Farmer

Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State – Apple combined for four interceptions and 18 passes defensed as a starter for the Buckeyes the past two seasons. Apple, whose mother immigrated from West Africa, lived in Ghana for two years as a child.

Comment: Third Ohio State player to go in the top 10. Giants had the last-ranked defense and lost CB Prince Amukamara to Jacksonville.

-- Sam Farmer

Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida – A two-time finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to college football’s top defensive player, Hargreaves had 33 tackles and four interceptions last season.

Comment: Opposing passers completed an average of 70% of their throws against the Buccaneers last season. Division loaded with marksmen QBs.

-- Sam Farmer

A bizarre video that was posted on Laremy Tunsil’s Twitter account minutes before the start of the NFL draft showed a person smoking from a mask equipped with a bong.

The approximately 30-second video was posted to Tunsil’s verified Twitter account before quickly being deleted. The entire account was deactivated about 30 minutes later but the video added to the perception that Tunsil has off-the-field problems.

-- Associated Press

Below is the video that was tweeted from Tunsil’s account 10 minutes before the start of the draft. Tunsil said his account was hacked.

(Bears received ninth pick via a trade)

Leonard Floyd, OLB, 6-6, 244, Georgia

Notable: Led Georgia in sacks each of the last three seasons.

Strengths: Long, elusive and fast off the edge and in pursuit.

Weaknesses: Not much bulk could lead him to get knocked around at the next level.

Outlook: More upside than production, but could fit nicely into a 3-4 scheme. Top 15 potential.

Comment: The Bears badly needed an edge rusher, and the Giants had targeted him at 10. Same type of player DC Vic Fangio had in Aldon Smith.

-- Sam Farmer

(Browns traded pick to the Tennessee Titans)

Jack Conklin, T, Michigan State – Conklin was completely overlooked in high school – no scholarship offers from FBS-level schools. He joined Michigan State’s team as a walk-on, and a year later started 13 of 14 games. Wound up starting in 2014 Rose Bowl, and 2015 Cotton Bowl at left tackle.

Comment: The Titans traded back up to get protection for Marcus Mariota. Character questions surface on tackle Laremy Tunsil.

-- Sam Farmer

DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon – Chip Kelly’s up-tempo offense will put pressure on San Francisco’s defense. Buckner, the Pac-12 defensive player of the year in 2015, has more power and quickness than speed. The 6-7, 291-pounder has perfect size, is relentless and can wreck a running game.

Comment: Chip Kelly is reunited with a player he recruited to Oregon. Buckner will be 49ers’ best DL from Day One.

-- Sam Farmer

Ronnie Stanley, T, Notre Dame – Stanley started 13 games at left tackle last season, and in 2014 was named Notre Dame’s offensive lineman of the year. He attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, the alma mater of NFL running back DeMarco Murray.

Comment: The Ravens need someone to eventually replace injury-prone left tackle Eugene Monroe and protect quarterback Joe Flacco.

- Sam Farmer

Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State – Elliott led the nation the past two years with a combined 3,699 yards rushing. He ran for a career-high 23 touchdowns last year.

Comment: Two years ago, DeMarco Murray led the NFL in rushing behind that line. Cowboys see the same potential in Elliott.

--Sam Farmer

Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State – A Day One starter since he arrived at Florida State, Ramsey might be the most dynamic athlete in this draft class. He won the Atlantic Coast Conference indoor and outdoor long jump championships. He didn’t have an interception last season, mostly because quarterbacks avoided throwing his way. He can play corner or safety in the pros.

Comment: Just like Gus Bradley had in Seattle, he wants those big corners patrolling the back end of his defense. Ramsey provides the Jaguars with that.

-- Sam Farmer

Rams fans in downtown L.A. react after the team selected California quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 overall selection in the NFL draft on Thursday.

(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

There is an expectation among fans and the media that a quarterback who is among the top five picks in the draft will start from the beginning of his first NFL season.

But the Rams aren’t operating under that assumption, even though the player they chose with the first pick Thursday night, California’s Jared Goff, is considered the most NFL-ready quarterback in the draft.

“It’s a case-by-case basis, and it depends on the quarterback himself,” said Rams Coach Jeff Fisher, who has three other quarterbacks — Case Keenum, Nick Foles and Sean Mannion — on the roster. “A lot of quarterbacks have been successful who didn’t start their first year, they’ve won Super Bowls.

“Some guys started their rookie years and weren’t successful. That question will come up, and our response will be that he will play when he’s ready to play. It may be the season opener, it may not.”

A young Rams offensive line gave up 18 sacks last season, but Fisher believes experience and improvement up front will ease the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Goff’s transition to the pro game.

So will Todd Gurley, who emered as one of the NFL’s best running backs as a rookie last season, rushing for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns on 229 carries in 13 games.

“A quarterback’s job becomes much easier when you can turn around and hand it off to somebody every once in awhile,” Fisher said, “and we plan on doing that.”

×

Bill Plaschke, Mike DiGiovanna and Lindsey Thiry discuss Jared Goff, the Rams No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.

Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State – Bosa had more tackles for loss than any player in the nation during the past three years. Finished his Ohio State career in the top five of several defensive categories, including sacks (third with 26) and tackles for loss (fourth with 50 ½).

Comment: Bosa is the highest drafted Buckeyes player since Orlando Pace was taken No. 1 in 1997. He gets to the quarterback and can stop the run.

-- Sam Farmer

CHICAGO -- The Rams selected quarterback Jared Goff with the first pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night.

The Rams, who traded up to the top of the draft to select a quarterback, chose Goff over North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz.

Goff, 21, was a three-year starter at California and helped turn around a program that won only one game his freshman season.

“They said, ‘Are you ready to be an L.A. Ram?’ ” Goff told reporters after his selection. “I said, ‘Absolutely.’

“There’s going to be pressure no matter when you’re picked in the first round. I think I can bring a lot to the table. I think I can bring a lot to the team.”

Goff, 6 feet 4 and 218 pounds, is the second quarterback in seven years to be selected by the Rams with the top pick. They selected Sam Bradford at No. 1 in 2010.

Ironically, Bradford played a role in the Rams’ ability to trade to the top of the draft to select Goff.

In March 2015, the Rams swapped Bradford for quarterback Nick Foles of the Philadelphia Eagles. Foles signed a $24.5-million extension and began last season as the Rams’ starter but was benched in favor of Case Keenum.

Equipped with an extra second-round pick from the Bradford trade – something no other suitor could offer -- the Rams and the Tennessee Titans worked out a deal to land what the Rams hope will be a franchise quarterback.

“I’m just excited, Goff added. “I think they’re going to be proud of the decision they made.”

×

Rams Coach Jeff Fisher and General Manager Les Snead meet with the media after selecting California quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.

Carson Wentz poses for photos after being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the second overall pick in the NFL draft.

( Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press)

Carson Wentz, North Dakota State – A two-time All-American and two-time NCAA FCS championship game MVP, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Wentz threw for 17 touchdowns with four interceptions last season despite missing eight games with a broken wrist.

Comment: Only one other time have the Eagles had a pick as high as No. 2. That was in 1999 when they took QB Donovan McNabb.

— Sam Farmer

Jared Goff, California – In 2013, Goff was the first true freshman quarterback to start a Cal opener since at least WWII. His teams improved from 1-11, to 5-7 in 2014, to 8-5 last season with a win over Air Force in the Armed Services Bowl. He had 43 touchdowns with 13 interceptions last season.

Comment: Rams were last in total offense, passing offense, and on third down. Team made historic trade, leapfrogged 14 clubs to get to Goff.

-- Sam Farmer

Jason Sperling did not let the Rams’ move from St. Louis to Los Angeles affect his support for the Rams.

Sperling, 35, won a lottery to attend the NFL draft on Thursday and was in the stands in the afternoon waiting for the red carpet arrivals of the draft prospects, including quarterbacks Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, one of whom will be selected by the Rams with the No. 1 pick.

Sperling, from Cape Girardeau, Mo., wore a No. 94 jersey with QUINN stitched on the back. Rams defensive end Robert Quinn wears No. 94.

“You can’t dislike the players and the coaches,” he said. “They had nothing to do with moving. So still got to root for the team.”

Sperling said he thought the Rams would choose Goff, who played at California, over Wentz, who played at North Dakota State.

“I think they’re going to take Goff and stick with the California boy,” Sperling said. “We definitely need a quarterback. I just don’t know about using all the picks for a quarterback.

“You’ve got to make a splash going and moving to L.A.”

Jared Goff tossed a few short passes and then made longer arcing throws to boys and girls. Carson Wentz took charge of another drill, handing off footballs and demonstrating running techniques.

On Wednesday, the quarterbacks expected to be the first two players picked in the NFL draft appeared relaxed while participating in a youth fitness clinic.

They said they would try to remain that way Thursday night before Commissioner Roger Goodell announces who the Rams selected with the No. 1 pick.

Read More

NFL columnist Sam Farmer gives you his draft predictions, from Jared Goff to the Rams with the No. 1 pick, down to Jarran Reed to Denver with the No. 32 pick.

Read More

Myles Jack reportedly has knee damage that could require micro-fracture surgery,

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

This was supposed to be the golden hour for Myles Jack, the culmination of an exceptional career at UCLA both as a linebacker and an occasional running back. Here he would be, on the eve of the NFL draft, contemplating his sure slot among the top five picks.

But the situation hasn’t unfolded quite so neatly for Jack, whose 2015 season — and his college career — came to an abrupt end in October when he suffered torn meniscus in his right knee at practice. He subsequently left school to focus on rehabilitating from the injury.

Read More

It looks like Jared Goff of Cal will be the first pick of the 2016 NFL draft.

(Ben Margot / Associated Press)

For the first time in more than two decades, Los Angeles has a home team participating in the NFL draft. And Angelenos better be sure to tune in on time for the first round Thursday because the Rams have the No. 1 overall pick.

That’s 5 p.m. Pacific on ESPN and the NFL Network.

Read More