Pick Your Prospect: Jared Goff vs. Carson Wentz

theScore's Pick Your Prospect series takes an in-depth, head-to-head look at some of the top players leading up to the 2016 NFL Draft.

Positions
QB - Goff vs. Wentz
RB - Elliott vs. Henry
WR - Treadwell vs. Coleman vs. Doctson
DL - Bosa vs. Lawson

Goff vs. Wentz

The race to be the top quarterback selected in this year's draft is between California's Jared Goff and North Dakota State's Carson Wentz.

Either could be taken off the board as early as No. 2 overall by the Cleveland Browns, or go in the top spot should a team opt to trade up with the Tennessee Titans.

Here's a look at how the two signal-callers stack up:

Arm Strength

Goff won't get much praise for his raw arm strength, as he doesn't consistently deliver the ball with velocity. He has more than enough arm to make every throw on the field, however, and the impressive accuracy he maintains in the vertical game speaks to that ability. There should be no concerns about this aspect of his game at the next level.

Arm strength is one of the reasons Wentz is thought to have such a high ceiling. He effortlessly pushes the ball both downfield and to the far sideline, not losing any sort of velocity in the process. Tightening up his footwork and overall mechanics at the next level should see this part of his game put to even better use, thus giving him a slight edge over Goff.

Advantage: Wentz

Accuracy/Anticipation

Where Goff really shines as a passer is with the accuracy he demonstrates to all levels of the field. The offensive system at Cal certainly makes life easier for its quarterbacks, thus creating some questions regarding a transition to football's highest level. But Goff's ability to throw his receivers open and maximize yards after the catch will translate regardless.

Wentz is a step behind Goff in this category. Though he throws the occasional dart, his downfield passes have a tendency to sail. Whether it's a result of mechanics, issues reading defenses at the necessary speed, or a combination of the two, there's work to be done with ball placement to deliver a more catchable ball.

Advantage: Goff

Mental Processing

As was the case with Marcus Mariota last year, questions surrounding Goff's ability to go through his progressions will go somewhat unanswered due to the system he played in. That's certainly not to say he can't read the entire field, but rather that he wasn't typically asked to do so. He excelled with what was required of him, and teams could at the very least scheme with those abilities in mind.

In comparison, Wentz's college experience came as part of a pro-style system. Though that will be considered a positive, and could conceivably ease a transition to the pro level, there's work to be done when it comes to going through those reads from the pocket. NFL defenses feast on quarterbacks who are slow to make their way through progressions.

Advantage: Goff

Pocket Presence

For all the concerns teams will have about Goff transitioning from Cal's spread system, teams should be impressed by the strides he made with poise. Goff is able to extend plays both by climbing the pocket and occasionally by shifting laterally, all the while maintaining his eye level and looking to make a play downfield. His ability to make a throw while under pressure has also come a long way.

Aside from his willingness to stand in against the rush and deliver a throw, pocket presence is the area of Wentz's game that needs the most work. The ability to escape the pocket doesn't bail quarterbacks out in the NFL as much as it does in college.

Advantage: Goff

Athleticism/Frame

Though he can certainly get outside the pocket and extend plays if need be, Goff isn't a threat to make plays as a ball carrier. With a relatively slender frame, there will be some concerns about his ability to take punishment at football's highest level. Undersized hands, measuring in at just nine inches, will result in ball security issues.

At 6-foot-5, 237 pounds, Wentz is the prototypical quarterback in terms of size. He also has the athleticism to make plays as a ball carrier, be it when protection breaks down or when his number is called as part of a designed run. That ability shouldn't be a deciding factor in any quarterback evaluation, but Wentz is undoubtedly the more impressive prospect from a physical standpoint.

Advantage: Wentz

Overall Comparison

In taking a close look at some of the most crucial quarterback traits, it's clear that NFL scouts will be intrigued by Goff and Wentz for entirely different reasons.

As a highly productive signal-caller who excels in some of the finer points of the position, Goff is more likely to be ready for a starting role as a rookie.

Wentz, meanwhile, is the prototypical quarterback prospect. His athletic ability, in combination with some undeniable arm talent, could very well give him the higher ceiling long term.

As is the case with many personnel decisions in the NFL, choosing between the two is a matter of both style preference and scheme fit.