Jared Goff is getting his due. After two standout seasons in Detroit, Goff was ranked the second best quarterback in the NFC -- and ninth best overall -- in ESPN's annual survey of NFL executives, coaches and scouts.
Goff, who signed a four-year, $212 million extension with the Lions this offseason after leading the team to the NFC championship game, is second in the NFL in completions and yards and third in touchdowns over the past two seasons. He's also first in fourth-quarter and overtime QBR during that span, per ESPN.
Last season, Goff's 18 touchdowns to zero interceptions in the red zone was the NFL's best clip.
One NFL coordinator said Goff is "the best in the NFL at throwing into zone coverage windows. I've shown young quarterbacks tape of him and how he throws with anticipation."
An NFC executive praised his growth under pressure since getting traded from the Rams to the Lions: "He used to seem nervous in the pocket, but now he's cool in there. I don't think he has that pressure on him like he did in L.A. Detroit has embraced him and he's responded."
And an AFC scout noted that Goff has "outplayed some of his critics" and "played well in big games."
The only NFC quarterback ranked ahead of Goff, ironically, is the one who replaced him in LA: Matthew Stafford came in at No. 5 on the list, trailing only Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes.
Justin Herbert, C.J. Stroud, Aaron Rodgers, Goff and Dak Prescott rounded out the top 10. Fellow NFC quarterbacks Brock Purdy, Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love and Kirk Cousins earned honorable mention.
Of the seven positions for which ESPN has rolled out rankings so far, the Lions have been represented in six, with linebackers, wide receivers and cornerbacks still to come.
Over the weekend, Penei Sewell came in at No. 2 among offensive tackles, Sam LaPorta No. 4 among tight ends and Frank Ragnow No. 8 among interior offensive linemen.
