PFF Tidbits from 2016. Zac Robinson PFF videos from 2018

Here is the final PFF Draft Board for the 2016 NFL draft:

[Editor’s note: While the order of the draft board has shifted and the list expands to 250, our evaluations remain largely the same within the first 150. For more in-depth breakdowns on every top prospect, check out our PFF scouting reports and our 2016 NFL draft guide.]

1. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Bosa is a dominant run defender (top grade against the run each of last two seasons) and he has the quick, powerful hands to create pressure off the edge.

2. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
Whether rushing the passer or making plays in the running game, Buckner is a force on the interior that is a perfect fit for a 3-4 scheme.

3. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State
Ramsey is an outstanding zone corner and he has the size and athleticism to develop into one of the league’s best man corners as well. He brings a versatile dimension to any defense as he can also play the run like a linebacker (top run grade among cornerbacks in 2015).

4. Jared Goff, QB, Cal
The best QB in the draft Goff ticks all of the boxes with regard to accuracy at all levels, poise under pressure, and quick decision-making.
[www.profootballfocus.com]


The 16 best picks in the 2016 NFL draft

16. JARED GOFF, QB, LOS ANGELES RAMS
Hands down the top quarterback in this draft class, Goff is a legit franchise quarterback. He was easily the highest-graded Power-5 quarterback last season, and graded out higher than either Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston.

If Goff possessed the frame (and hand size) of those two, people would be talking about the Cal quarterback in a much more favorable light. The Rams got a good one.
[www.profootballfocus.com]

Round-by-round ranking of 2016's best NFL QB prospects

ROUND 1
Jared Goff, Cal
There’s a lot to like about Goff’s game, from his pocket presence to his game-changing throws under pressure, to his ability to elevate an overmatched Cal team in the Pac-12. He posted the top grade among all quarterbacks in 2015 after ranking eighth in 2014, showing well whether pressured or facing the blitz.

He can throw his receivers open with anticipation and creativity, and he’s fearless in making these throws even when getting hit. Goff’s short area accuracy could stand to improve, and his decision-making was questionable at times in 2015, but his overall body of work and three-year progression at Cal are too much to pass up for a QB-needy team at the top of the draft.
[www.profootballfocus.com]

PFF Debate: Wentz or Goff the better QB prospect?

BY PFF ANALYSIS TEAM
APR 8, 2016

Once again, the Cleveland Browns find themselves in a position to draft a new quarterback at the top of the NFL draft.

In our second PFF Debate of the 2016 draft season, senior analysts Steve Palazzolo and Sam Monson discuss, debate and ultimately disagree on the superior QB prospect — Cal’s Jared Goff or North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz?

[Editor’s note: Looking for more on the NFL draft? Check out our 2016 NFL draft guide, loaded with scouting reports, signature stats and much more.]

Sam Monson: Well, can we start with arm strength? Carson Wentz makes Jared Goff’s arm look weak. In terms of arm talent, it’s not even a conversation.

Steve Palazzolo: I think you’re getting a little extreme when describing Goff’s arm. He has plenty of arm to make the necessary throws, but he does run into issues when he has to reset quickly — some of his passes will die. Either way, he makes up for it with quick decision-making and a quick release.

Monson: The arm talent thing is less an indictment on Goff’s arm, which I agree is fine (but just fine), and more an endorsement of the physical tools that Wentz has.

People talk about the QB they’d draw up if they had access to Frankenstein’s lab (they don’t put it in those terms, but we all know they’re dying to go full-on mad scientist), and when they piece it all together it looks a lot like Wentz.

Big guy, solid frame, howitzer for an arm, athletic enough to be useful and big enough that you don’t worry about every shot he takes. Goff doesn’t really have any of that.

Palazzolo: There’s no doubt that Wentz “looks the part,” and that’s a big part of his appeal. But he’s lacking in some of the areas needed to succeed at quarterback at the next level. His timing is simply not good in the passing game, often late with his reads, and that’s a big area that needs to be ironed out. When I watch Goff, I see similarities to the best QBs in the game — pocket movement, firing through his reads, accuracy. I’ll take those elements of Goff’s game over the size and the big arm.

Monson: I think what we’re really talking about in this debate is how ready they are to play Day 1, right? I agree Wentz needs to speed up his reads, but at least he’s working through them and has them at all. You can’t say that for several QBs in this class. I’d be more concerned if he wasn’t working through them at all, and never getting to No. 2 or No.3 in the progression.

I think Goff may be more ready to start Day 1 because of what you’re saying, but the X-factor there is what Wentz can do with his legs. Washington made RGIII super effective in the first year because of what he could do with his legs, buying him time in essence to learn on the job as a passer. Sure, it ended pretty badly for him, but Wentz is significantly bigger than RGIII and can take more of a pounding as a runner. He could probably also be taught to actually slide when necessary in a way RGIII never accepted. Either way, that additional ability to boost the run game could be enough to get Wentz in the game and develop his passing tools in game situations.

Palazzolo: I’m not seeing pocket mobility from Wentz — maybe he develops it, but the things we’re asking Wentz to develop are scary ones: timing, pocket mobility, downfield accuracy. If he can figure those out, then he’s potentially great, but that’s where we start the risk/reward discussion. What are the chances that he does improve in all of the necessary areas?

I believe Goff is more NFL ready. That said, he’s certainly no finished product. He’s still young — only a true junior — and he continues to add bulk every year. We could easily see him improve his arm as he fills out. I also love his quick mind in the passing game, that will always be there for him at the next level.

Monson: I think that’s the key. If we were debating Wentz against a far more flawless product, I’d be all for him being drated as the second quarterback in this class, but Goff has enough warts that I’m drawn to the guy with the bigger upside. Neither guy is a sure thing — both could probably use some time on the bench (that they probably won’t get) to learn and shape some of their rough edges.

Given that, I think you go for the guy who has monster upside and a proven upward trajectory in his career arc. I think a smart team can protect Wentz early with scheme and still play to his strengths while he develops. If he does smooth out those rough edges, we’re looking at a guy with sky-high potential.

Palazzolo: Looking at Cleveland specifically, the Browns should take Goff. While the upside is tempting, there are few common traits that all good quarterbacks share and Goff has them. I think he’s still on the upswing of his career and he already moves around the pocket, reads defenses, and throws with accuracy like an NFL QB. He’s the QB I’m hitching my wagon to long-term.

Monson: If you’re the Browns, I say you take Wentz. He may take a little bit more work from a schematic point of view in terms of starting from Day 1, but they hired a QB guy in Hue Jackson for a reason. Give him the best tools to work with and trust he can help him reach his potential. He’s the guy I’d take. And I think for once, the Browns may not be able to go wrong regardless of which guy they pick.
[www.profootballfocus.com]


Checking in on 3rd Year Quarterbacks | PFF
Pro Football Focus
Published on Nov 6, 2018

PFF's own Zac Robinson alongside Cole Brown discuss three QBs that are now in their 3rd year in the NFL. They discuss the improvements these QBs have made along with what they could work on for an even more impressive year 4.




Ranking every bowl QB by pro potential | PFF
Pro Football Focus
Published on Dec 14, 2018

PFF analysts Steve Palazzolo and Zac Robinson discuss several high profile college quarterbacks and their NFL potential as we prepare for the upcoming college football bowl season.