Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune-USA TODAY Sports
As the Detroit Lions look at all options in the 2022 NFL Draft, here are five later-round quarterbacks they could consider.
The Detroit Lions are looking for their next franchise quarterback. Jared Goff is not it, and on the whole the 2022 draft class of quarterbacks is not considered strong. If a signal caller is on the radar early, it’ll be with the 32nd overall pick or the 34th overall pick.
Some Lions fans are behind the idea of not taking a quarterback in this year’s draft, and instead looking to 2023 when there seems likely to be a couple elite-level prospects at the position. But if they win more games in 2022, say double their 2021 win total, where would that leave them in the mix to draft one of those elite guys? Having an extra first-round pick again might help facilitate a move up, but nothing is guaranteed.
Shifting back to this April’s draft, here are five mid-to-late round quarterback prospects (Round 3-7) the Lions could consider.
5 mid-to-late round quarterback prospects the Detroit Lions could draft in 2022
5. Brock Purdy
Purdy had a solid career at Iowa State, with 81 touchdown passes over nearly four seasons as the starter. But consistency became an issue in his final season, with some ugly outings (three interceptions against Iowa) and some good ones (three or more touchdowns three times).
Purdy’s upside as he heads to the NFL doesn’t look great, probably a backup or maybe a fringe starter-type. His physical attributes aren’t going to wow. But what he had to say at the NFL Combine may capture the Lions’ attention.
I haven’t been a guy who’s 6-5, 6-4, big frame, extremely fast, extremely strong arm,” Purdy said. “Football IQ for me has really just been my M.O. my whole life.”All I know is I need a shot,” Purdy said. “That’s been the story of my life. … Once I get my shot, I don’t look back.