Go West Young Matt
The L.A Rams traded Jared Goff and multiple draft picks for Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Matthew Stafford went west yesterday when the Detroit Lions shipped him to Los Angeles for Jared Goff, two first round picks, and a third round pick. With Stafford sitting at 32 years old and Goff at 26, who was the real winner of this trade?
The Rams get a short term fix at the quarterback position that isn’t super needed. Stafford is 32 and, all though he is tough as nails, he has been pretty banged up. While his age and injury history are concerning, he is a hell of a ball player that can push the ball down the field and his gutsy athlete.
Putting Stafford with weapons like Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Gerald Everett could lead to the Greatest Show on Turf part two. With those guys out wide, you can’t forget about the three headed monster in the backfield of Cam Akers, Malcolm Brown, and Darrell Henderson that can do damage at any spot on the field.
For Jared Goff, I honestly don’t feel that bad for him that he’s a Lion, I more feel bad that he has to give up his Los Angeles lifestyle and live in the most dangerous city America has to offer, Detroit.
Maybe, the acquisition of Goff and new head coach, Dan Campbell can sway Marvin Jones Jr. and Kenny Golladay to re-sign and catch passes in the Motor City. If both of these guys walk though, oh man, Jared Goff will join the ranks of Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson who are talented players that have had the prime of their careers wasted due to a lack of talent around them.
With this trade happening, the Lions draft strategy may drastically change. If Golladay and Jones Jr. walk then they need to target either Jamar Chase or Devonta Smith at receiver or they could bring a Hernandez and Gronk esque tight end duo to Detroit if they take Kyle Pitts. Pitts is more of receiving threat and athlete like Hernandez and Hockenson would be the Gronk because, of his aggressive blocking style and dominance in the open field.
Now, the Rams won’t be drafting a player in the first round until 2024 because, they sent their 2022 and 2023 first round picks for Stafford and then lost this years first rounder in the Jalen Ramsey trade. Hopefully they can score a solid offensive lineman in the draft to keep Matt Stafford upright.
If you’re a Rams fan, you’re fired up to see a new gunslinger in town to boost your Super Bowl chances but, if you’re a Lions fan, you’re praying to the football God’s that Golladay and Jones Jr. resign and that Dan Campbell can lead you to the playoffs.