Pro Football Focus named Jared Goff as the most underrated Detroit Lions player, but it feels like the case could have been stronger.
There’s no denying how well Jared Goff played last season, finishing top-10 in the NFL in passing yards (4,438; sixth), passing touchdowns (29; tied for fifth), passer rating (993; seventh) and QBR (61.1; fifth).
Oh, and he’ll also carry the fifth-longest streak without an interception in NFL history into the 2023 season (324 pass attempts). He is locked in as the Detroit Lions’ starting quarterback for at least one more season, if not two (what’s left of his contract) or more if the Lions pony up to sign him to a contract extension.
Pro Football Focus recently released their list naming the most underrated player on each NFL team. They gave away Goff would be the guy for the Lions by using him as the featured image for the article.
While others have a case to be the most underrated Lion, there’s a strong case for Goff.
Pro Football Focus makes a weak case for Jared Goff as the Detroit Lions most underrated player
Not that PFF made a strong case. Here’s the blurb about Goff, after noting his 72.4 overall grade from them last year.
While Goff might never reach the elite level of play we saw early in his career, the former first-overall pick was plenty serviceable for the Lions last season. Goff ranked 17th out of 30 QBs who had at least 300 pass attempts with a 71.2 passing grade, he was fifth among the group with a 76.2 adjusted completion percentage and he led the Lions offense to 253 first downs picked up through the air, the ninth most among QBs.
Coming in 17th out of 30 qualifying quarterbacks (300 or more pass attempts) with a 71.2 PFF passing grade is certainly “plenty serviceable.”
Citing his adjusted completion rate and the Lions’ first downs through the air last season comes off as a nice save after calling Goff what he essentially is. Serviceable, and with a level of play ceiling that has to be manufactured by scheme and play-calling.
Those who think Goff is really good and will repeat last season in 2023 have their stance. Others see it differently based on his years of regression before 2022, and what his raw talent is.
If Goff is going to be called the most underrated Detroit Lions player, which isn’t to say he’s not worthy, there has to be some better things to say, right? “Plenty serviceable” straddles the line between praising and knocking someone.