NFL Draft 2016: Eagles work out Cal quarterback Jared Goff

The Philadelphia Eagles are working out Cal quarterback Jared Goff in Berkeley, California today, according to a report from former Eagles scout John Middlekauff. Kyle Scott of Crossing Broad was first to point out that Eagles head coach Doug Pederson and executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman were spotted on a plane heading to San Francisco. Roseman reportedly watched "about four hours of film" on Goff on the plane ride.

News of this private workout is interesting because Goff is thought to be one of the top two quarterback prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft. Recent draft rumors indicate the Eagles are interested in trading up to draft a passer. Other reports have connected the Eagles to Carson Wentz, but maybe that's an effort to disguise their genuine interest in Goff. At the very least, key members of the Eagles organization have made it publicly known they intend to draft a quarterback this year.

The 21-year-old Goff measures in at 6-4, 205 pounds. He reportedly scored a 36 (out of 50) on his Wonderlic test. Goff started three years at Cal. In 2015, he completed 64.5% of his passes for 4,714 yards (8.9 yards per attempt), 43 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

BGN draft expert Ben Natan isn't so high on Goff as a prospect.

In terms of where I think Goff should be drafted, it should be much later than many are making it out to be. He lacks a dominant trait as a quarterback and his mental abilities as a passer do not nearly come close enough to counterbalance his physical shortcomings. I think much of the hype surround Goff has to do with the lack of first round quarterback prospects in this year's class and he is easy to shine a light onto due to his production. He would fit into what the Eagles want on offense, but like the Eagles current starting quarterback, he lacks the traits necessary to take the unit to the next level. If he were somehow to fall to day two, though I have no positive way of guessing how the league feels about him, he would be a good pick. However, spending a premium pick on a quarterback with a lacking arm, middling athletic ability, only above average football IQ and inconsistent poise seems like an incredible waste of recourses.

Tommy Lawlor of Iggles Blitz, meanwhile, thinks Goff could interest the Birds. He mocked Goff to the Birds in his first mock draft for PhiladelphiaEagles.com.

Taking Goff now would give the Eagles the luxury of developing him for the future. Rodgers sat for three years. Rivers sat for two years. Tony Romo sat for three years. Tom Brady sat for a year. If you have a good starter, the young player can focus on mastering the playbook and getting better at practice. That makes life easier when they finally do get on the field. Doug Pederson has said he wants his quarterback to be able to make adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Goff did some of that in college. By sitting for a year or more, he would be learning and that would help him to be ready to make pre-snap adjustments at the line.

The Eagles will meet with a number of players prior to the 2016 NFL Draft, so this workout hardly means the Eagles are definitely going to draft Goff. It certainly is interesting, though. The Eagles re-signed Sam Bradford and acquired Chase Daniel in free agency but neither player is necessarily a franchise quarterback. Philadelphia could be interest in drafting and developing a guy like Goff to take over the reigns in the future.

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Update:

Jared Goff not the only Cal star getting privately worked out today by Doug Pederson. Wideout Kenny Lawler so participating.

— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherNFL) March 28, 2016