Anyone with mild interest in the NFL Draft had their eyes on Cal quarterback Jared Goff on Friday. The quarterback, who is expected to be a top-10 pick on April 28 in Chicago, took part in his pro day workout from California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif.
NFL scouts, coaches and media lined the sidelines with fans smattered throughout the bleachers, all in attendance to see Goff show off his skill set.
And according to the 21-year-old passer, his workout was another step in the right direction.
"I felt good overall," Goff said. "I finished it really well and felt good about it. There are always going to be a couple (of throws), two or three that you want back, … but it went well. I was really happy about it."
Goff threw for 4,714 yards and 43 touchdowns as a junior in 2015. Those numbers came in Cal's "Bear-Raid" offense that positioned the signal-caller primarily out of the shotgun. Goff said that taking snaps under center and getting comfortable in his drop backs has been his primary point of emphasis during the pre-draft process.
The diverse workout script was geared to feature Goff's improved footwork. The quarterback exhibited two-, five- and seven-step drops in addition to play-action fakes. Goff even rolled out a few times and made throws on the move.
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton threw a curveball at Goff at the conclusion of his workout. Hamilton doused a football with water and had the Cal product throw a few more passes. It was an on-the-fly solution to create inclement weather on a mild California day.
"I had no idea that was coming," Goff said. "I had a feeling someone was going to pull me aside and do some work with me, but I didn't know that was coming. It was good."
The Browns hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Most analysts suggest in mock drafts that Cleveland will use the selection on a quarterback. That signal-caller will be required to thrive in the harsh winter conditions often experienced playing in the AFC North. "Growing up in California, they probably wanted to see that (from me)," Goff said. "That makes sense. (But) I've played in cold weather before, and I wouldn't be the first quarterback to go from California to cold weather."
Goff will spend the next month doing private workouts and meeting with teams, although he didn't specify any club by name. The Novato, Calif. native was asked how he'd feel about getting drafted by the San Francisco 49ers.
"It would be great," Goff said. "It would be a really cool thing, growing up a fan of them. But at the same time, I'll be more than happy to be with a team and a coach that I want to win games with."
The 49ers will select seventh overall in the 2016 NFL Draft.
