The Lions finally addressed their defensive line with their first pick of round six, adding Jeremiah Ledbetter. With their second sixth-rounder, Detroit grabbed Miami quarterback, Brad Kaaya. It’s a good pick to add competition for Jake Rudock to be Matthew Stafford’s backup. Kaaya won’t be forced to play right away and can learn behind Stafford for a few seasons.
Brad Kaaya – Miami
Position: Quarterback
Size: 6-foot-4, 215 lbs
Why He Makes Sense For Detroit: For the second straight year, the Detroit Lions have added a quarterback in the sixth round. It’s clear the Lions aren’t content to give that backup spot to anyone, they want someone to earn it. I don’t think it puts Matthew Stafford’s job in jeopardy, despite Kaaya going much later than he was projected.
It does give the Lions some flexibility if Bob Quinn can’t work out a long-term contract with Stafford this offseason, as they are reportedly working towards. More than anything, this pick was about value. Brad Kaaya was supposed to be drafted in the third or fourth round. A pocket passer from a pro-style offense, Kaaya would seem to be a good fit for Jim Bob Cooter’s system.
“Groomed to be a quarterback from an early age, Kaaya flashes the mechanics and intelligence of a player who has spent hours in quarterback camps. However, he can be too mechanical and thinks too much rather than just flowing and responding to what the field offers him. Kaaya could have used another year of college, but he has the tools and intangibles to become an NFL starter,” said Lance Zierlein in his NFL.com scouting profile.
Check out Kaaya’s college highlights below!
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