Dallas Cowboys

Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff as good as Dak Prescott in 2017?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:37 p.m. ET

Fansided, Greg Archuleta/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

The Jared Goff-Carson Wentz comparison will always be there, but should the Los Angeles Rams quarterback look more to Dak Prescott?

A recent article added new context to the Jared Goff- Carson Wentz comparisons — as in the Los Angeles Rams' No. 1 overall pick and Philadelphia Eagles' No. 2 pick, respectively. Wentz absolutely dominate Goff during their rookie season last year.

But Bleacher Report's Matt Miller recently predicted Goff would have a better 2017 season than Wentz:

Define "better year" however you want as long as we're not talking about wins and losses (team stat), Goff will take the next step this season with an improved offensive line and a competent coaching staff around him. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Cooper Kupp lead the team's receivers in catches.

The Rams' improved offensive line consists of free agent signees, left tackle Andrew Whitworth, and center John Sullivan, and the trade of former No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson.

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Whitworth is one of the best linemen in the league, but he's 35. Sullivan missed all of 2015 with a back injury before signing as a backup with the Washington Redskins. Robinson, who the Rams took with the second pick of the 2014 draft, is in Detroit after a trade. Based only on those moves — and the perceived lack of landing a No. 1 wide receiver — Turf Show Times wrote that asking Goff to surpass Wentz in 2017 is a tall order.

But is it? More importantly, is a Goff-Wentz comparison appropriate?

If the Rams offensive line is significantly improved, could Goff actually approach Dak Prescott, who nearly pushed the Dallas Cowboys into last year's NFC Championship Game?

The Rams likely felt obligated to give Robinson every chance to keep his job because of his lofty draft status. If they have more cohesion without Robinson and with Whitworth and Sullivan, running back Todd Gurley could rival the Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott.

New head coach Sean McVay's scheme spreads the ball around, so the Rams don't necessarily need a true No. 1 receiver for Goff to show significant improvement. If Goff can grasp the offense and Gurley can move the chains, the Rams should feel that a Goff-Prescott comparison is better than a Goff-Wentz comparison.

After all, Goff was the top pick last year, while Prescott was a fourth-round pick. And no one objected last year when Goff went 134 picks before Prescott did. NFL personnel believes Goff to have more natural talent.