PFF scouting report: Jared Goff, QB, Cal

Below is the PFF draft profile for Cal's Jared Goff, which incorporates PFF’s college grades and scouting intel from our team of analysts. To see all of PFF’s 2016 scouting reports, click here.

Position fit: Starting QB 

Stats to know: Our top-ranked quarterback in 2015 after ranking eighth in the nation in 2014. Tied for second in the nation with 12 touchdowns under pressure. Tied for 12^th in nation with accuracy percentage of 50.0 percent on deep passes. 

What he does best:
• Makes incredible throws with defenders bearing down on him. Fearless in the pocket
• Pocket presence. Moves in the pocket to find passing lanes, keeps his eyes up while maneuvering the pocket
• Processes information quickly, zips through progressions, always keeping body in position to throw
• Will get to second and third reads on backside of field and can make accurate throws late in progression
• Shows outstanding accuracy on “bucket” throws down the field. Can drop it in with touch
• Quick release
• Shows creativity when throwing receivers open. Will lead receivers to space or throw them open with anticipation
• Led an overmatched Cal team and made them competitive in difficult Pac-12
• Showed well both under pressure and against the blitz
• Throws the anticipation post route on time and accurately

Biggest concern:
• Short area ball location is not ideal, even on completions
• May move around the pocket too much, sometimes compromising the leverage of the offensive line
• Misdiagnosed cover-2 on multiple occasions. Is either fooled pre-snap or predetermining his read without adjustment
• Was more careless with the ball in his final season, had too many turnover-worthy plays
• Has enough arm, but not a cannon. May leave a few plays on the table that can’t be zipped in there.
• Arm strength wanes when forced to reset his feet in the pocket. Will make some throws that lack velocity and float after a quick reset

Bottom line: Goff has gotten better every year at Cal and his strengths should translate into NFL success. He manages the pocket, fires through progressions, and makes big plays under duress. He helped to turn around a subpar program while dealing with poor offensive line play, elevating the level of his teammates in one of the most difficult conferences in the nation. While he has his limitations, Goff has the tools to succeed as a starting quarterback in the NFL.