Opponent Scouting Report: Rams Quarterback
By Andrew Ites
The Colts travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams in Week 1, and quarterback Jared Goff’s development will be extremely important to their success.
The Rams traded two first round picks, two second round picks, and two third round picks to Tennessee to move up to the number overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and select quarterback Jared Goff out of California.
The Rams got Tennessee’s fourth round pick and a sixth round pick in return, but they essentially mortgaged most of their near-term future in hopes of finding their franchise quarterback.
Rams fans were obviously disappointed in Goff’s performance during his rookie year where he threw for only 5.3 yards per attempt with 5 TD’s and 7 INT’s in his seven starts.
However, Jared Goff should benefit from the natural progression of a quarterback from year one to year two, and the Rams upgraded their offensive coaching staff by bringing in new head coach Sean McVay.
More from Horseshoe Heroes
- Colts explored hiring former quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky
- When is the NFL Combine 2023? NFL Combine schedule, events, how to stream
- Latest NFL mock draft has Colts trading up to No. 1 for star QB
- Eagles offensive free agents that could follow Shane Steichen to Colts
- Here’s why Colts linebacker Shaq Leonard is going to love Shane Steichen
McVay played an instrumental role in developing Kirk Cousins from a fourth round pick into a Pro Bowler who threw for nearly 5,000 yards last season. The Rams also gave Goff some help by acquiring Pro Bowl left tackle Andrew Whitworth, explosive wide receiver Sammy Watkins, and a couple of other complimentary weapons to give Goff some more reliable targets this season.
Goff showed some flashes of development in the preseason, and the Rams’ offensive scheme looks much more creative than it did in 2016. The Colts’ defense will be facing a much different quarterback than the one that struggled so much as a rookie.