Comparing Goff to 2nd seasons of other QB's taken #1 overall...

Comparing Jared Goff to 2nd seasons of other quarterbacks taken No. 1 overall

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Bryan Kalbrosky
When Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff steps on the field next season, lots will have changed for his team since his rookie debut.

Goff, who was selected at No. 1 overall in the 2016 NFL draft, has a reinvented offensive line, fresh receivers and, most importantly, a new coaching staff. Last season, the Rams had a defensive-minded head coach in Jeff Fisher and then a special teams coordinator step in for the interim role once Fisher was fired.

The Rams have loaded up on offensive-minded coaches who can help develop Goff into a more mature quarterback. New head coach Sean McVay as well as Matt LaFleur (offensive coordinator), Greg Olson (quarterback coach) and Aaron Kromer (offensive line) have experience running an NFL offense.

With new receiving targets and better pass protection, Goff can likely build on an unimpressive rookie campaign to bigger and better things during his second season in Los Angeles.

In order to help visualize his potential next season, we looked at the stats of other quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall and what their production looked like during their second professional season.

Eli Manning | Sam Bradford | Cam Newton | Andrew Luck | Jameis Winston

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Eli Manning (Rookie Season — 2004)


Eli Manning in 2004 (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Much like Goff did during his first season, Manning struggled to live up to expectations for the Giants as a rookie. Their first seasons are eerily similar. Both played just seven games yet combined for a total of one win. And both threw more interceptions than touchdowns.

While Goff was sacked more often than Manning, he also had more yards per game as well as a higher completion percentage.

Manning, however, made an impressive jump during the next year. During his second season with the Giants, he improved nearly every statistic. The most impressive stat is his team finished the season with an 11-5 win-loss record.

Of course, Manning has gone on to win two Super Bowl championships. So despite a rough start, crazier things have happened.

Eli Manning | Sam Bradford | Cam Newton | Andrew Luck | Jameis Winston

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Sam Bradford (Rookie Season — 2010)


Sam Bradford in 2010 (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Unlike Goff, when the Rams selected Bradford they believed he was going to be immediately ready to lead the franchise during his first year.

His first and second seasons, statistically, were very similar. He was sacked 34 times as a rookie and then 36 times the following year. Bradford had 6.0 yards per attempt his first year then 6.1 the next season. He had 5.4 yards per attempt as a rookie and followed it up with 5.6 yards per attempt.

Three key differences, however, existed for Bradford during his subsequent season.

He threw significantly fewer interceptions during his second year as his pick percentage dropped from 2.5 percent as a rookie to 1.7 percent the next season. Bradford also threw fewer touchdowns, though, as his mark dropped from 3.1 percent to 1.7 percent as well.

But the most notable was not an improvement. He won 7 games as a rookie and then just one as a sophomore quarterback. Now with his third NFL team, he has developed a rhythm as one of the most accurate arms in the league.

Eli Manning | Sam Bradford | Cam Newton | Andrew Luck | Jameis Winston

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Cam Newton (Rookie Season — 2011)


Cam Newton in 2011 (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
During the first two seasons Newton played in the NFL, his team finished below .500 and did not make the playoffs. However, the Panthers were then postseason bound for three consecutive seasons.

Newton is a multi-threat, dynamic quarterback who has had immense success in the league. He was offensive rookie of the year then became the league’s MVP just a few seasons later. His first season, Newton threw 21 touchdowns as well as 7.8 yards per attempt. He also had a very low 6.3 percent sack rate.

For comparison, last season Goff had just 5.3 yards per attempt with an 11.3 percent sack rate. One strange trend is Newton had 253.2 yards per game during his rookie year but his career average is just 234.1 yards per game.

But his second season, Newton’s touchdown percentage and completion percentage remained around the same but his interception rate (3.3 percent to 2.5 percent) dipped. This showed an improved accuracy.

Eli Manning | Sam Bradford | Cam Newton | Andrew Luck | Jameis Winston

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Andrew Luck (Rookie Season — 2012)


Andrew Luck in 2012 (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Out of all the quarterbacks selected with the first overall pick in recent memory, Luck had perhaps the toughest task. He had to replace Peyton Manning.

However, he did a fantastic job and made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons during his first two years in the league. Both years, the Colts had an 11-5 record. But he improved his touchdown percentage during his second season while lowering his interception percentage. He was sacked less often and was also more accurate.

Luck is a phenomenal talent. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and led the NFL in touchdown passes during his third season. His trajectory is dissimilar to Goff due to usage rate. Luck throws the ball 37.9 times per game while the Rams only had Goff at 27.9 as a rookie.

This season, the Rams open the season against Luck in a battle of the best quarterback from California in recent memory vs. the best quarterback from Stanford in recent memory. The collegiate rivalry on a professional level will be worth watching during Week 1.

Eli Manning | Sam Bradford | Cam Newton | Andrew Luck | Jameis Winston

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Jameis Winston (2016)


Jameis Winston in 2016 (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
While Winston and Goff were both quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall in back-to-back seasons, their debuts were remarkably different.

Winston was selected to the Pro-Bowl as a rookie while Goff was winless. Building off his strong rookie season, Winston improved his stats from 22 touchdowns to 28 touchdowns. He also improved his win-loss record from below .500 at 6-10 to 9-7 and a winning season his second year.

He improved his completion percentage though he was sacked more often and threw interceptions more often. However, during both seasons Winston finished in the top ten in the NFL for yards per completion showing very impressive efficiency.

Winston did not make the Pro Bowl during his second season but was top ten in the league in touchdowns, which is not something he accomplished as a rookie. He was also NFC Offensive Player of the Week during his first game of his second season.

Eli Manning | Sam Bradford | Cam Newton | Andrew Luck | Jameis Winston