CHICAGO (AP) — Jared Goff is moving down the West Coast to Los Angeles. Carson Wentz and his big right arm are moving from North Dakota to Philadelphia.
It’s all about the quarterbacks at the top of the NFL draft.
Goff went No. 1 overall to the Rams on Thursday night for their first pick since they moved to Los Angeles in the offseason, and Wentz was the No. 2 selection by the Eagles after a successful career at North Dakota State in the second tier of college football.
There was little doubt about the position of the top picks after Los Angeles and Philadelphia each made a big trade to get into the draft’s top two slots. It’s the second straight year two QBs were the first names off the board and the seventh time in the modern era of the draft since 1967.
After the QBs got their hats and exchanged pleasantries with Commissioner Roger Goodell, a pair of Ohio State stars made the stroll to the podium. San Diego grabbed defensive end Joey Bosa at No. 3 with the first real wild card of the night, and Dallas selected running back Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth pick.
Elliott, who rushed for 1,878 yards last season, made quite a fashion statement when he showed off his midsection while walking the red carpet before the draft. But his dress shirt under his blue suit was in place by the time he was drafted by the Cowboys.
Florida State cornerback Jalen Ramsey went No. 5 to Jacksonville, and Baltimore selected Notre Dame offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley with the sixth pick.
The 6-foot-4 Goff started every game during his three seasons at California and set school records with 977 completions, 12,220 yards passing and 96 touchdown passes. The Rams traded with Tennessee to get the pick.
Tupac’s “California Love” took over the speakers at the downtown Chicago theater when Goff went No. 1.
“It’s a good spot for me and for my family to come watch games,” Goff said. “Very excited to get down there and get to work.”
Wentz led the Bison to their fifth consecutive FCS championship in January. He passed for 1,651 yards and 17 touchdowns during his senior year that was shortened by a broken right wrist.
Philadelphia acquired the No. 2 selection in a trade with Cleveland last Wednesday. It’s the first opening-round quarterback for the Eagles since they grabbed Donovan McNabb with the No. 2 pick in the 1999 draft.
