Week 13 at New England
Jared Goff completed 20-of-32 passes for 214 yards with three touchdowns, one interception and one lost fumble in the Rams’ Week 12 loss to the Saints. Outside of losing a fumble on his own 10-yard line in the second quarter, Goff played very well in the first half. His first touchdown was a perfectly placed ball to Tavon Austin with the defender in Austin’s hip pocket and his touchdown pass to Lance Kendricks right before halftime pulled the Rams within seven points heading into the locker room. But things got ugly for Goff in the second half as he threw an interception and took a couple of sacks as the Saints pulled away. Overall it was a better showing for the former No. 1 overall pick, but he remains off the fantasy radar. He ranks as our QB30 for Week 13.
Week 12 at New Orleans
Jared Goff complted just 17-of-31 passes for 134 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Rams' Week 11 loss to the Dolphins. His average yards per pass attempt went for just 4.3 yards as the rookie was asked to simply manage the game in his NFL debut. The Rams blew a 10-0 lead as the Dolphins scored two late touchdowns to snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat. Goff expects to be allowed to throw more downfield this Sunday when the Rams visit the Saints, but that won't help his fantasy appeal. Playing behind a horrible offensive line with no running game or legitimate big-play threats to throw to, Goff is the worst fantasy option at quarterback for Week 12.
Week 11 vs. Miami
Rookie Jared Goff will get his first NFL start on Sunday when the Rams host the Dolphins. He'll play behind a suspect offensive line with no running game or legitimate No. 1 receiver to lean on in the passing game. Twenty-eight quarterbacks are fantasy eligible in Week 11, and we have him ranked at No. 28. In other words, avoid him.
Week 9 vs. Carolina
Rookie quarterback Jared Goff reportedly received more reps during the Rams' bye week and could be getting closer to making his first start. Case Keenum was a disaster in London when the Rams lost to the Giants, throwing four interceptions despite his defense keeping the team in the game. At some point the Rams need to find out what they have in Goff, who has yet to take a NFL snap. We have Goff ranked as our QB27 for Week 9, but both he and Keenum should be avoided in fantasy.
Fantasy Upside
We'd be exaggerating to suggest that Jared Goff has upside this year in fantasy. Despite the Rams giving up four picks this year and two next year in order to move up to the No. 1 pick in April's draft to acquire Goff, he has yet to beat out Case Keenum for the starting job. Goff should start at some point, but if or when he does, he'll be one of the least attractive fantasy quarterback options available.
Fantasy Downside
As previously mentioned, Goff has yet to beat out Keenum for the No. 1 job in L.A. If he does start, he'll do a lot of handing the ball off to Todd Gurley in the Rams' run-heavy offense. Outside of Tavon Austin (who is more of a gadget player than a bona fide No. 1 receiver), the Rams don't have any weapons in the passing game, either.
2016 Bottom Line
Ranked as our QB30, avoid Goff in your drafts. There's not much sense in picking him up as a streaming option either, as the Rams won't put the ball in the air much this season and he doesn't have many weapons in the passing game.
