ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals select Jared Goff in Sports Illustrated’s 2016 re-draft

Feb 26, 2017, 1:21 PM | Updated: 8:16 pm

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff, left, throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals free sa...

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff, left, throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals free safety D.J. Swearinger during the second of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

After evaluating their rookie seasons, Sports Illustrated re-drafted the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, with the Arizona Cardinals going in an interesting direction.

The re-draft begins with the Los Angeles Rams, who do not select Jared Goff but instead bring Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott from 135 to first overall.

Goff doesn’t leave the NFC West, though. The Cardinals draft him instead of defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche with the 29th pick.

Sports Illustrated recognized that the choice may seem odd at first.

Hear me out, because this one might not be popular. Goff remains a Round 1 pick despite his disastrous debut because the curve was always going to be steep for a prospect with that much to learn and that little of a supporting cast behind him. Bruce Arians seems like the kind of coach who would say yes to Goff’s howitzer of an arm and figure out the details later, and with Carson Palmer returning for one more year, Arizona could limit the pressure to play Goff that constantly swirled in L.A.

Goff, a 22-year-old out of Cal, certainly did not look like a first overall pick in his limited time as a rookie. In seven starts, Goff completed 54.8 percent of his passes for 1,089 yards with five touchdowns and seven interceptions. He was sacked 22 times and fumbled five times, losing two.

The argument from SI, however, does have some merit. Goff wasn’t ready for the spotlight with a limited Rams team, so perhaps a team like the Cardinals makes sense. They have an established veteran but know the clock is ticking. Coach Bruce Arians would like a quarterback like Goff, who is 6-foot-4 and has a strong throwing arm.

On top of that, Nkemdiche didn’t wow Arizona in his rookie season either. He has dealt with ankle injuries during the early season and was ineffective when he finally took the field. In five games, he recorded only one tackle and one pass defensed.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

7 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

11 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

2 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Marvin Harrison Jr. celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Marvin Harrison Jr. wasn’t opposed to joining Arizona Cardinals in 2023

Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Arizona Cardinals in 2024? That's what Paris Johnson Jr. predicted soon after getting pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

3 days ago

Cardinals select Jared Goff in Sports Illustrated’s 2016 re-draft