Report: Cal quarterback Jared Goff to visit New Orleans Saints this week

Jared Goff, former California Golden Bears quarterback and arguably the top prospect at his position in the upcoming NFL Draft, reportedly has a visit scheduled with the New Orleans Saints sometime this week.

The New Orleans Saints seem to be showing an interest in several of this year’s quarterback prospects.  Either that or they’re firing shots at Drew Brees’ agent to get an extension finalized, or baiting other teams in need of a quarterback into trading up in the selection process, or both?

However you see this visit — something that can be interpreted differently by many teams, fans, and media — Jared Goff is an intriguing prospect for any team interested in finding a franchise quarterback.  If the Saints are indeed thinking about life after Brees, this could be their guy, despite the pick of Garrett Grayson in the third round a year ago.

Jared Goff is a talented, young individual.  In 2013, he became the first true freshman in Cal history to start a season opener.  Unfortunately, the Golden Bears were a bad team that year– a very bad team.  In spite of the 1-11 finish, Goff set numerous single-season school passing records.  2014 was another stellar year, as he finished with 3,973 yards and 35 touchdowns.

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But Jared Goff’s best didn’t come till 2015, where he surpassed all his previous records, completing his junior season with a whopping 4,714 yards and 43 touchdowns on 341 completions.  He led Cal to its first winning season since 2011 and first bowl win since 2008.

Jared Goff’s success is highlighted by great size, a strong and accurate arm, and excellent leadership qualities that coaches droll over.  He improved every season at Cal, which suggests his best has yet come.  Arguably the most polished passer in the draft, like all incoming rookies, Goff can still improve in certain areas.

Again, visits, workouts, and pro day scouting can be interpreted however you want, but the Saints have bigger holes to fill on both sides of the football.  And for now, Drew Brees, who’s reportedly working on a multi-year extension (still up in the air) to stay in New Orleans and finish his career, is the man down on the bayou.  Remember, the Saints will be meeting with countless prospects in the approaching weeks — they can only draft six.

For now, add Jared Goff to the list of players New Orleans has met or will be meeting with in the coming weeks before the 2016 NFL Draft kicks off at the end of the month.