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NFL Draft 2016: Mike Mayock compares Wentz/Goff to Winston/Mariota

By Patrick Schmidt

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (right) and Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota do an interview on the NFL Network after finishing their workout during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (right) and Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota do an interview on the NFL Network after finishing their workout during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock went hyperbolic when he compared Jared Goff and Carson Wentz to Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota.

Mike Mayock is already on record as being a big believer in North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz after he said he thinks his ceiling is similar to Andrew Luck. He also said he’s bigger, more athletic and has just as strong of an arm. All that’s lacking from his game is the experience at a high level that Luck had as a three-year starter at Stanford, including time under quarterback guru Jim Harbaugh.

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I scoffed at the comparison and while I think Mayock is one of the best at what he does, I thought he was reaching with his comparison. Mayock was in attendance for Jared Goff’s pro day on Friday where the Cal quarterback put on a show, according to Mayock and led to more hyperbole from the draft analyst.

Mayock compared Wentz and Goff to Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota who were the top two picks in last year’s NFL Draft and look like the franchise quarterbacks they were drafted to be.

“The statement I’m going to make to you guys, and you can tell me whether you agree or not, is I’m at the point now with both Wentz and Goff where I think they’re every bit as good, if not better, than Winston and Mariota from a year ago as prospects,” Mayock said, via NFL.com.

Winston threw for more than 4,000 yards and 22 touchdowns while Mariota had 2,818 yards and 22 total touchdowns despite his season ending in the twelfth game. Those players were winners of the last two Heisman Trophy’s and were a combined 1-1 in National Championship Games.

Wentz started for a year and a half at the FCS level and while he won two national championships his lack of experience at the top level of college football is concerning. Meanwhile, Goff won one fewer game (14) in his entire college career than Winston did his freshman season and his 23 losses are 18 more than Mariota had during his career.

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All this is meant to show that comparing Wentz and Goff at this time to what Winston and Mariota were in the pre-draft process is ludicrous.

Mayock’s NFL Draft colleague Daniel Jeremiah did his best to remain professional and cordial as he always does when he politely disagreed with Mayock’s comparison.

“That’s strong. I have a little bit lower grade (on Wentz and Goff), Mike,” Jeremiah said. “(Winston and Mariota) ended up going 1-2 (overall) and I think when it’s all said and done, I think (Goff and Wentz) end up going there in the top seven (picks). I would say that, ceiling-wise, for (Winston and Mariota), I’d put them at a little bit higher ceiling.”

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Off-camera I wonder if Jeremiah turned to Mayock and told him he’s crazy.

The pre-draft process is full of hyperbolic statements, half-truths and draft rhetoric, but this one takes the lead in the clubhouse as the most outlandish statement for the 2016 NFL Draft.

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