Wentz was the best QB on draft night, still better than the Rams Goff today

Did the Los Angeles Rams get it right on draft night 2016? That may depend on your perspective, but the eyes and numbers seldom lie, and right now, Carson Wentz is better that Jared Goff.

Before the 2016 NFL Draft, I wrote that the quarterback the Los Angeles Rams should draft was Carson Wentz from North Dakota State. Even now, nearly a year and some almost eight months later, I still feel the same way.

Right now, and two years into their respective NFL careers, I still believe that Wentz was and is still the better quarterback.

But Jared Goff is having a sophomore season that is rapidly closing that gap.

With a Week 14 matchup that will give Rams fans a chance to see “what if,” both Goff and Wentz are in the midst of remarkable seasons.

In Philadelphia, Wentz has the Eagles the clear leader in the NFC East, and in a bitter fight with the Minnesota Vikings for home field advantage. Wentz, who has the benefit of more time, and frankly more success as a starter, is in serious consideration for league MVP.

Next: 3 storylines for Rams and Eagles in Week 14

His numbers bear that out in 2017, having completed 242 passes on 399 attempts for a completions percentage of 60.7%. He’s tossed 29 touchdowns against only 6 interceptions, and has a QBR rating of 73.6.

Goff, meanwhile is part of a Titanic-like turnaround in Los Angeles. This season, he has 244 completions with 392 attempts, with 20 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. His QBR is 53.2.

Strikingly and unmistakably similar.

After a dismal 0-7 start to his career, the second year Rams quarterback has benefited from a new head coach in Sean McVay, a revamped offensive line, and a bevy of offensive weapons including a rejuvenated Todd Gurley, and rookie receiver Cooper Kupp.

Now, it’s working when it looked like it might not, when the name “Goff” and “bust” were being mentioned in the same sentence.

To his credit, he put a dumpster fire behind him, and has segued into an offense that has put him into casual MVP talk, and certainly Pro Bowl considerations.

He also has the Rams sitting at 9-3, and playing well beyond where most prognosticators thought LA would be. With the West in their control, and his career and fortunes on the rise, franchises in both Philadelphia and Los Angeles are trending up, and may stay there for the foreseeable future.

Wentz meanwhile, has the Eagles at 10-2 and has the NFC East all locked up, and along with the Vikings, are the first teams that come to mind when the Super Bowl is talked about.

So is LA.

Well, sort of.

But the eyeball test when watching these two teams says that Wentz is playing at a different and better clip than his counterpart with the Rams. And unless the game in the Coliseum has Goff finishing with astonishing numbers and a well decided win, it won’t likely change the accurate perception that, for at least now, Wentz is still the best of the 2016 class.

Would two years in McVay’s system change that?

Maybe, but only if Wentz and to a lesser extent, the Eagles cool. But does anybody really see that happening?

Fans in Los Angeles have every right to be exciting about the Rams and Goff as their quarterback, as do fans in Philadelphia.

But the numbers, the way he plays, and the eyes just don’t lie; Carson Wentz then, and now, is the better quarterback.

He was on draft night 2016, and is still now in Week 14 of the 2017 NFL season.

Related Story: NFL Power Rankings Week 14: Rams improve to 9-3

Maybe next year at this time, it’s a different story for Goff and the Los Angeles Rams.

I just wouldn’t bet on it.