When discussing the NFL Draft there’s two main criteria to consider: who will draft the player and who will draft him.

Who Should Draft Jared Goff?

Pete Fiutak

I never thought Goff was going to Cleveland at the second pick. He’s a very nice prospect, but this is a loaded draft at the top end. He’s not necessarily a Cam Newton/Andrew Luck style of franchise maker like some of the top players at other positions are.

Carson Wentz is probably going before him, anyway.

The matter was initially pretty simple – Wentz was going to go to Cleveland at No. 2, and San Francisco would go Goff at No. 7 – though that has changed. Goff sort of doesn’t fit everything Chip Kelly wants to do with the 49ers. If Wentz slides on down now, he’s probably San Francisco’s first choice of quarterbacks. So unless someone makes a big move up to get Wentz, everything moves down a peg. 

Now, Goff probably slips into an interesting mid-first area, starting with Chicago at No. 11. The Bears need a lot of everything, but they also have to at least think about a quarterback. Goff to Chicago won’t happen, but New Orleans has to give him a hard look at the 12.

Drew Brees is 37, and while he’s talking about playing for several more years, he’s not going to be there through the life of Sean Payton’s contract extension. Even so, New Orleans is a reach.

Philadelphia just committed to Sam Bradford, so consider Goff a no at the 13, and he’s not going to the Raiders at 14.

And into the lap of the Los Angeles Rams falls Goff.

All of a sudden, the options are starting to whittle down with Detroit (16), Atlanta (17) and Indianapolis (18) not going QB, meaning Buffalo at the 19 and the Jets at the 20 both needing to either decide they’re happy with Tyrod Taylor and, eventually, Ryan Fitzpatrick, respectively, or else move up a few slots for Goff or possibly Wentz.

And then there’s Denver.

No one from the Redskins at 21 to Carolina at the 30 will go quarterback, but Goff to Denver would be a dream scenario – that’s not going to happen at the 31, though.

Robert Judin

There will be an endless amount of opinions thrown around about Jared Goff, but the truth is the guy started all 37 games he played in at Cal. Regardless of having nine-inch hands, he can play. He comes from that “Bear-raid” offense and knows how to dictate a game from a no-huddle situation. That’s why he should go to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 8 overall.

Doug Pederson would develop Goff and use Sam Bradford as a bridge to get to the young quarterback. Zach Ertz, Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor would form a solid group of targets for Goff to start out with in Philly. When situations arise in which the Eagles would need to push the ball down the field, Goff could do it. Ryan Matthews out of the backfield would be a decent check-down option, too.

Who Will Draft Jared Goff?

Pete Fiutak

Can the Broncos find a way to move all the way up into the top 12 if Goff starts sliding? 

Goff will go in the top 15, but now it’s Game On to see who’s going to jockey into the right position to get him.

Robert Judin

In spite of the fact he should end up with the Eagles, Goff won’t be drafted at No. 8 as long as Philly holds the pick. Howie Roseman just gave Bradford a new deal, and a lot of eyes will be on him to see if he was held back by Chip Kelly’s system.

Having said that, Goff will end up with the Rams, who will probably trade up to take him. They’re making the move to Los Angeles, and taking Goff would not only fill a gaping hole in their offense, but also serve as a glamor pick. Nothing says “come to L.A. football games” like drafting a quarterback from Cal with your first-round pick — especially the first pick the franchise will make as the L.A. Rams again.

MORE: Jared Goff vs. Carson Wentz – NFL Draft Stock Comparison