It's Jared Goff's time, for better or worse

It's Jared Goff's time, for better or worse

Alden Gonzalez

From now until the start of free agency, on March 7, we'll take a position-by-position look at the Los Angeles Rams in eight installments. The Rams -- coming off a 4-12 season that prompted the hiring of rookie head coach Sean McVay -- have about $40 million in cap space but do not have a first-round draft pick. They also have a lot of needs, all of which can feel a little overwhelming without breaking it down by section. We'll do that here. Next up: quarterback. (Previous: WR/TE, DL, OL, LB, R

Key returnees: Jared Goff, Sean Mannion

Notable free agents: Case Keenum

Top free agents available (for now): Kirk Cousins, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Josh McCown, Shaun Hill, Matt Schaub, Matt McGloin, Mike Glennon, E.J. Manuel, Matt Cassel, Blaine Gabbert

Key stat: Among rookies with at least 200 pass attempts, Goff's 63.6 passer rating was the 12th-lowest since 2000. The 11 who were worse: Andrew Walter (55.8 in 2006), Jimmy Clausen (58.4 in 2010), Kyle Orton (59.7 in 2005), Josh Freeman (59.8 in 2009), Joey Harrington (59.9 in 2002), Matthew Stafford (61.0 in 2009), Chris Weinke (62.0 in 2001), Kyle Boller (62.4 in 2003), Ken Dorsey (62.4 in 2004), David Carr (62.8 in 2002) and Mark Sanchez (63.0 in 2009). Those 11 have combined for one Pro Bowl invite, for Stafford.

As you might have noticed, the quarterback market drops off considerably after Cousins. That's why trading for Jay Cutler sounds like such an appealing proposition. And it's why so many teams are expected to line up for Tony Romo if the Dallas Cowboys release him. The Rams have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Romo, but their biggest question at quarterback is whether Mannion, a third-round pick in 2015, is ready to be a full-time backup. If not, the Rams could bring in a fringe veteran.

But it's Goff's turn to start, for better or worse.

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