Detroit Lions Draft: A Quarterback for Every Round
By Jeff Risdon
Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions have not drafted a single quarterback since taking Matthew Stafford No. 1 overall in 2009. That six-draft gap is the longest by any team in NFL history. By way of comparison, the Denver Broncos and New York Jets have each drafted five quarterbacks since Stafford took to the draft stage.
It is time to end the drought, to quench the QB thirst. While Matthew Stafford isn’t going anywhere, there is a crying need for a competent backup. Getting a developmental young talent into the system is imperative as well. Stafford’s current contract status makes his future beyond 2016 much more in doubt, so grooming a potential successor is something the new General Manager will definitely want to undertake as soon as possible.
With that in mind, here are draft candidates for every round. These are based on my early projections for where each will be drafted. The Lions currently hold the 10th pick in the first round and between the 7th and 10th pick in subsequent rounds. Though they do not have a third-round pick at this time (the Gabe Wright trade), they will get at least one when the compensatory picks are announced later in the winter.
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