Tag: Matthew Stafford

Rams and Lions swap Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff, plus picks

Fantasy football reaction to the quarterback trade between the Lions and Rams.

The fantasy football implications to this trade are a huge win for the Matthew Stafford camp, as well as every skill player in Los Angeles. On the other side of the coin, Jared Goff goes from having an extremely favorable situation with the Rams — plenty of targets and a creative playcaller — to an offense with considerably less talent and a run-first narrative.

There is way too much uncertainty in Detroit to get far into Goff’s outlook. The top three receivers from last season are all poised to hit the open market in March. We’ll invest plenty of attention to this situation and do a deeper dive once more pieces are in place.

Goff offers matchup-play potential if the needs are met around him, but we’re probably a year or more away from that being the case with a first-year head coach and a bunch of holes to fill. He is a system quarterback who requires plenty of support to be at his best.

The offense will be commanded by Anthony Lynn, and he’ll look to return to his run-heavy ways. That favors Goff and his penchant for finding success out of play-action passing. While that may be good for the Lions, rarely do fantasy gamers find consistent utility when their quarterback is at his best when the system limits his throws. Think respectable QB2 territory if the receivers improve in a hurry.

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Regardless of recent injury issues, Stafford immediately solidifies as a strong No. 1 fantasy passer based on the system and the weapon cache. There is considerable talent at receiver, tight end and running back. It will be interesting to learn how much of a blend we’ll see between the offense molding around Stafford’s skill set vs. how much LA will ask him to fit into their existing scheme of a play-action, run-friendly design. Frankly, there’s little reason to expect the latter given the draft capital surrendered to land him.

The entire cast of passing game and backfield outlooks in the Los Angeles offense will see improvement. The vertical nature of Sean McVay’s offensive style will thrive with Stafford’s cannon of an arm and ability to exploit defense via off-platform throws like few others. Veterans in Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods offer a top-level tandem for reliability, and the personnel depth gives Stafford multiple outlets throughout the route tree. Entering his second year in the backfield, Cam Akers is poised to have a breakout season with a dynamic quarterback running cover. Toss in talent a tight end and there’s plenty to like about the age-33 season for Stafford.

Fantasy football drafts are a ways off for the majority of owners, but it will take a catastrophe between now and the heart of the selection season for Stafford to fall out of the top 10 of starters. Some drafters will put him closer to the top five quarterbacks.

What do Los Angeles Rams see in Matthew Stafford?

The decision by the Los Angeles Rams to trade for Matthew Stafford shows us that Sean McVay values one trait above all in QBs: Decisiveness.

Perhaps the handwriting was on the wall. In recent days both head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead were rather open and honest about the status of quarterback Jared Goff on their roster. McVay stated that there would be a “level of competition” to the quarterback position, and the general manager stated that Goff was a Ram “at the moment” before continuing on to state that “anything can be done” with respect to the salary cap.

But looking at both Goff and the newest member of the roster, it is quite clear what the Los Angeles Rams see in Matthew Stafford.

Decisiveness.

Hesitation and indecision has been a staple of Goff’s tenure with the Los Angeles Rams. You can take it back to the run-up to Super Bowl LIII, and the game itself. In this piece from that season I dove into great length about Goff’s hesitation, and that was a factor on the biggest play of the game, when Goff waited to throw a deep route to Brandin Cooks, allowing time for Jason McCourty to recover and break up what could have been a game-changing touchdown.

That hesitation continued into this season, and as this video breakdown highlights, the struggles against some specific coverages, where the middle-of-the-field is open, continued into this year:

https://youtu.be/JROSdDvgD3E

In fact, McVay challenged Goff prior to the Rams’ Week 13 game against the Arizona Cardinals, and the young QB responded in one of the team’s biggest wins of the season. But even in what was a bit of a redemptive performance, you still saw that hesitation:

Even when he was playing well, the hesitation was there.

That leads us to Stafford.

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Grading the reported Rams and Lions Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff blockbuster trade

WOW.

The 2021 NFL offseason got off to QUITE a start on Saturday.

Per a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Los Angeles Rams acquired quarterback Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions, shoring up a position that has given them some trouble even while L.A. made a run to the Super Bowl just three seasons ago.

The big surprise? The Lions are getting back Jared Goff, just five years removed from being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, who broke out under Sean McVay in 2018 but who also took big steps back in the past couple of years. Plus, they’re getting some picks!

Who won and lost here? Let’s hand out some grades.

 

What the Matthew Stafford deal means for the Houston Texans and Deshaun Watson

The Los Angeles Rams set the quarterback market with their trade for Matthew Stafford. This has big implications for the Houston Texans.

We have our first major move of the 2021 NFL off-season. The Detroit Lions traded veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff, a pair of first-round selections, and a third-round pick as well.

While there are obvious considerations for those two teams, there is also another angle to consider here: What does this mean for the Houston Texans and Deshaun Watson?

By now you probably know the storylines. Watson is frustrated with the direction of the organization and has requested a trade from the team. Incoming general manager Nick Caserio indicated in the past few days that he has no intentions of “trading the player,” but that was before the Saturday night deal between the Rams and the Lions.

Given what the Rams were willing to pay for Stafford, a 32-year old quarterback under contract through the 2023 season, what might the Texans get in return for Watson, a 25-year old quarterback under contract through the 2025 season?

Of course, the financial considerations are worth discussing. According to OverTheCap.com, Stafford’s current contract is somewhat team-friendly. His cap number this season is $33 million, and that reduces each of the next two seasons, dropping all the way down to a paltry – by NFL starting quarterback standards – during the 2023 campaign.

As for Watson, his cap number over the next few years accelerates rather quickly. In the 2021 season his cap number is a mere $15.94 million. Then it hits $40.4 million in 2022 and $42.4 million in 2023, before leveling off in the upper $30 million range.

A bit more expensive.

But also for a quarterback in his mid-twenties, and one of the NFL’s elite talents.

With the Rams sending a young quarterback, a pair of future-first round picks, and a third-rounder to Detroit for Stafford, what might the asking price be now for Watson? There is a reason many link Watson with either the New York Jets or the Miami Dolphins. Both teams have a pair of first-round selections in this draft, and they also have a young quarterback that could be included in the deal, whether Sam Darnold or Tua Tagovailoa. The price for acquiring Stafford might mean those are the starting terms from Houston’s perspective.

Caserio might say he has no intentions of trading the player, but with what the Rams were willing to part with in exchange for Stafford, the Texans could truly come away with a king’s ransom if they parted ways with Watson.

That might be hard to turn down.

Caserio, however, would be smart to move sooner rather than later. The longer he waits on this, the more his bargaining position weakens. It would be wiser to make a move now, with more potential trade partners out there and a lot more before the draft and the start of the season, than it would be to wait, see potential dance partners move on, and to hear Watson start rumbling about a holdout. If that happens, any leverage Caserio has now would be greatly diminished. Plus, given Watson’s no-trade clause, the more trade partners you have to work with, the better.

As for the quarterback himself, Watson is still in a very good position. Looking at the potential suitors out there (in addition to the Jets and the Dolphins you could picture the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Football Team, and the San Francisco 49ers as being teams willing to make such a move) you are looking at a group of teams either coming off playoff appearances, having just missed out on the playoffs, and a year removed from a Super Bowl.

Or potentially playing in the New York City media market.

Some pretty desirable situations.

So the Stafford trade was the first domino to fall, but the reverberations will be felt from this deal throughout the off-season.

Rams set to go 7 years without a first-round pick

Rams set to go 7 years without a first-round pick

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Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead puts very little value in first-round picks – making that very clear once again in his blockbuster trade for Lions QB Matthew Stafford.

The Rams are trading two first-round picks to the Lions, with those selections reportedly coming in 2022 and 2023. They don’t have a first-rounder in 2021 because of the Jalen Ramsey trade, which was the case last year, too.

In fact, the Rams haven’t made a first-round pick since they took Goff No. 1 overall in 2016 after moving up to draft him. As a result of this trade, as well as others involving Ramsey and Brandin Cooks, the Rams aren’t slated to make a first-round selection until 2024.

That will make it seven years in a row that the Rams won’t use a first-round pick in the draft – a span unlike any other in the NFL.

The Ramsey trade undoubtedly has worked out in the Rams’ favor, but the deals for Cooks and Goff didn’t necessarily come with the return Los Angeles was hoping for.

Now, we’ll see if it really sets them back by missing out on first-round rookies for seven years in a row – barring a trade, of course.

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Lions trade Matthew Stafford in blockbuster deal with Rams

The Detroit Lions are trading starting quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff and several first round picks

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The Detroit Lions are trading starting quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff, two future first-round picks, and a third-round pick. Matthew Stafford, a former No. 1 overall pick out of the University of Georgia, requested a trade from the organization this offseason and was receiving significant interest on the market.

The Los Angeles Rams and head coach Sean McVay quickly acted and now they have a new franchise quarterback. Jared Goff, another former No. 1 overall pick, is presumed to be the starter in Detroit.

Matthew Stafford joins a Rams team who had the top defense in the league last season. Los Angeles finished the season 10-6, but was reliant on their elite defense. The Rams struggled at times offensively, especially when compared to previous years.

Jared Goff and the Rams lost in the Division Round of the postseason to the Green Bay Packers. That defeat ending up being Goff’s final game with Los Angeles.

Now, Goff will join former Rams executive Brad Holmes in Detroit. Holmes in now the Lions’ general manager and is looking to rebuild following a 5-11 season. Goff has decent weapons in Detroit like D’Andre Swift, T.J. Hockenson, but new head coach Dan Campbell is looking to re-sign Lions No. 1 wide receiver Kenny Golladay.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news via Twitter:

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Lions trade Matthew Stafford in blockbuster deal with Rams

The Detroit Lions are trading starting quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff and several first round picks

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The Detroit Lions are trading starting quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff, two future first-round picks, and a third-round pick. Matthew Stafford, a former No. 1 overall pick out of the University of Georgia, requested a trade from the organization this offseason and was receiving significant interest on the market.

The Los Angeles Rams and head coach Sean McVay quickly acted and now they have a new franchise quarterback. Jared Goff, another former No. 1 overall pick, is presumed to be the starter in Detroit.

Matthew Stafford joins a Rams team who had the top defense in the league last season. Los Angeles finished the season 10-6, but was reliant on their elite defense. The Rams struggled at times offensively, especially when compared to previous years.

Jared Goff and the Rams lost in the Division Round of the postseason to the Green Bay Packers. That defeat ending up being Goff’s final game with Los Angeles.

Now, Goff will join former Rams executive Brad Holmes in Detroit. Holmes in now the Lions’ general manager and is looking to rebuild following a 5-11 season. Goff has decent weapons in Detroit like D’Andre Swift, T.J. Hockenson, but new head coach Dan Campbell is looking to re-sign Lions No. 1 wide receiver Kenny Golladay.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news via Twitter:

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Twitter reacts to Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff blockbuster trade

Fans couldn’t believe the Rams and Lions struck a deal involving Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford.

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The Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions struck a deal on Saturday night, swapping quarterbacks. The Rams are trading Jared Goff, two first-round picks and a third to the Lions for Matthew Stafford.

It’s a rare blockbuster trade involving two former No. 1 picks and predictably, it has everyone stunned. The Rams were believed to be in the sweepstakes for the Lions quarterback, but a deal wasn’t expected to come together this quickly.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the news when it broke on Saturday night, with reactions from fans, media members analysts and the like. For the most part, people think the Rams paid a lot for Stafford, but many believe it’s a great fit in L.A.

Twitter reacts to Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff blockbuster trade

Fans couldn’t believe the Rams and Lions struck a deal involving Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford.

[jwplayer fcmaiUI2-ThvAeFxT]

The Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions struck a deal on Saturday night, swapping quarterbacks. The Rams are trading Jared Goff, two first-round picks and a third to the Lions for Matthew Stafford.

It’s a rare blockbuster trade involving two former No. 1 picks and predictably, it has everyone stunned. The Rams were believed to be in the sweepstakes for the Lions quarterback, but a deal wasn’t expected to come together this quickly.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the news when it broke on Saturday night, with reactions from fans, media members analysts and the like. For the most part, people think the Rams paid a lot for Stafford, but many believe it’s a great fit in L.A.

Rams set to go 7 years without a 1st-round pick after Matthew Stafford trade

The Los Angeles Rams haven’t had a first-round draft pick since 2016, and they’re not scheduled to have another one until 2024

The blockbuster trade the Los Angeles Rams are making for Matthew Stafford will give them a proven veteran at the game’s most important position, with a fairly team-friendly contract, considering the current market for such a player.

The down side?

The Rams haven’t made a first-round pick since they took Jared Goff No. 1 overall in 2016, and after this deal with the Detroit Lions, they’re not scheduled to make another Day 1 selection until 2024.

Yes, that’s seven straight years without a first-round pick.

Rams general manager Les Snead and the rest of the team’s decision-makers are clearly willing to make bold moves to take advantage of their window for making a championship run, but if it doesn’t work, it could backfire in a big way by leaving them without premium talent developed via those early draft picks down the road.

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