‘Carlos & Shawn:’ What to look for during Detroit Lions organized team activities
Carlos Monarrez and Shawn Windsor break down what they expect to see in Detroit Lions OTAs this offseason during their “Carlos & Shawn” podcast published May 23, 2024.
ESPN has released its top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL ranked by NFL execs, coaches, and scouts, and the Detroit Lions‘ Jared Goff was ranked ninth.
Goff had the second-most passing yards in the NFL with 4,575 last season, and was fourth in passing touchdowns with 30, helping the Lions to a 12-5 regular season.
To extract the rankings, ESPN says voters “give us their best 10 players at a position” and then results are compiled to rank candidates “based on number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen.”
So lets dive into what NFL execs, coaches, and scouts have to say about Goff — who in May signed a four-year, $212 million contract extension and just got married, too — and his standing among NFL QBs entering the 2024 season.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler assured readers Goff this ninth place ranking came before the four-year, $212 million extension became official in the spring, and didn’t buy him extra votes.
“Our voting on quarterbacks was largely complete by then,” Fowler wrote. “In other words, Goff’s status was cemented. No news cycle needed.”
NFL execs, coaches and scouts were impressed by Goff’s improvement over his career. They mentioned his precise accuracy, calmness in the pocket, and how well he played last season.
“He’s the best in the NFL at throwing into zone coverage windows,” an NFL coordinator said. “I’ve shown young quarterbacks tape of him and how he throws with anticipation.”
“He used to seem nervous in the pocket, but now he’s cool in there,” an NFC executive said. “I don’t think he has that pressure on him like he did in L.A. Detroit has embraced him and he’s responded.”
Added an AFC scout: “He’s outplayed some of his critics. Played well in big games.”
Goff helped the Lions win two playoff games, breaking an NFL-leading drought that extended to the 1991 season.
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Eight quarterbacks were slotted above the 29-year-old Goff, including an old NFC North Lions nemesis.
Surprisingly the quarterback who is 40 years old and played three snaps last season was ranked higher than Goff. Rodgers, before the injury of course, has been a mainstay in the top 5, but will he have the same production after the Achilles injury?
“He’s probably fringe top 10 at this point, but he still has the rare ability to throw the football,” an AFC exec said. “That hasn’t gone away. I think he’s got a major opportunity to lift the Jets and show what he can still do.”
Stroud came into his rookie season showing off his talent, immediately making the Texans playoff contenders. The key for Stroud entering his sophomore year is to continue to build on his rookie success.
“He’s as good as anybody, honestly,” a veteran NFC scout said. “He’s got to do it again, but the arm talent combined with taking care of the ball and the ability to process was impressive.”
Herbert hasn’t been able to make it past the divisional round in his career. A lot of pressure is put on him: Even when play calling or defensive struggles rise, Herbert takes the fall for the Chargers lack of success. Perhaps new coach Jim Harbaugh can offer stability and good coaching for Herbert.
“I think Harbaugh might finally unlock him, with more emphasis on the run to support him,” an NFL personnel director said. “Sure, he’s got to play bigger in some big games. But he’s going on, what, his fourth different coordinator? It’s not always his fault they’ve struggled.”
After an off year in 2022, the 2023 season brought the rams back into the playoff conversation. For the rams to succeed they need a healthy Stafford, the problem is Stafford can’t stay healthy. A head NFL scout believes a quality offensive line will help Stafford.
“At this stage, he needs a quality offensive line,” a head scout of an NFL team said. “They weren’t great up front last year and he still produced. They should be better. Stafford can use his legs on occasion but should be playing comfortably in the pocket at this stage.”
Jackson has been one of the most criticized quarterbacks in the NFL, but he still finds a way to consistently win games in the NFL and produce at a high level. They next step for Jackson is getting the Ravens over the hump, and making the Super Bowl.
“He was better than the numbers say as a pocket passer,” an AFC executive said. “Really efficient. May not have had crazy production but always made a lot of plays. Watching it, you feel the impact. Definitely more accurate.”
Allen is ranked as a top 3 quarterback in the NFL but some NFL execs believe he is “overrated”.
“One of the more overrated players in the NFL,” a veteran NFL executive said. “Immense talent but he makes a lot of mistakes. He’s underdeveloped at winning at the line of scrimmage, tends to lock on to targets, more of a thrower than precision passer, forces throws into traffic.”
“I saw a quarterback who is consistently a high performer who elevates his team at every chance,” a high-ranking NFL official said.
Another great quarterback who struggles with injuries is Burrow, the 27-year-old Bengals savior.
“High level in all areas, can’t stay healthy,” an AFC scout said.
Burrow, when intact, is one of the most dangerous passers in the game, and his 68% career completion percentage is the NFL’s highest through four seasons (minimum 1,000 attempts), according to ESPN.
“Burrow is still probably the most consistent of all the guys,” an NFL executive said. “A pure thrower who’s in complete command of the offense and comes up big in big moments. He knows when to attack and be aggressive vs. when to take the easy yards. And the dude is so tough.”
No surprises at No. 1 with Mahomes. His ability to improvise and make amazing off-schedule throws separates him from his counterparts.
“When it’s late in a meaningful game and Mahomes is playing, you just know he’s going to find a way to win,” an NFC executive said. “That’s the stage he’s at that a lot of the greats get to — they figure out how to win the game and get it done. The game’s slowed down for him in that way.”
Dak Prescott sneaks into the No. 10 spot. His biggest issue is getting the Cowboys deep into the playoffs. This season will be key for Prescott in a contract year. CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons are also entering a contract year, and if Dallas can’t get over the hump, more tough decisions have to be made.
“He always does well enough to be in the top 10 but never gets over the hump,” an NFC executive said. “He makes all the throws. He’s playing the position at a high level. But something’s missing. There are a lot of factors in that, from the running game, playcalling, defense, and Dallas hasn’t won in a long while. But certain guys are going to elevate their team late in the game, and Dak doesn’t seem to do that.”
Honorable Mentions: Some great quarterbacks didn’t make the top 10, according to ESPN’s survey of voters, notably Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love, Brock Purdy and Kirk Cousins.
After losing the Super Bowl in the 2022 season, Hurts had a rough year. He fought through a knee injury, but his play saw a drop from the previous season, most notable 15 interceptions, considering he had 18 over 3 seasons before 2023.
“He was playing hurt,” an NFC executive said. “The Eagles tried to downplay that, but he didn’t look right. He wasn’t the same runner he was in the past, and passing the ball was tough for him.” Added an AFC scout: “He’ll always be in that 7-12 range, depending on how productive he is each year.”
Love finished the season hot, leading the Packers within a missed field goal of upsetting San Francisco in the divisional round, which would have set up an NFC North rivalry showdown in the NFC championship game in Detroit.
“I think that’s real,” an AFC exec said about Love’s late-season play, where he passed for 2,150 yards, 18 touchdowns and one interception from Weeks 11-18. The person liked his arm talent and confidence, and notes he’s in a good system, led by head coach Matt LaFleur. “He’ll turn the ball over some because he’s so confident. He’ll miss here and there. But you can live with that. Short sample size, so he’s got to do it again. But he will.”
Purdy, Mr. Irrelevant, has came a long way from being the last pick in the 2022 NFL draft. After losing the Super Bowl in overtime last season, he showed he deserved to be in the top-10 conversation, but the star power the 49ers have makes everyone a little hesitant to rank him top 10.
“He’s very good at navigating the pocket, buying time, using his legs — you’re not going to win because of him in most cases,” an NFC exec said. “He’s a really good system quarterback.”
