Detroit Lions: Ranking the top 10 quarterbacks in franchise history

6.) Rodney Peete

Rodney Peete was considered a blue-chip prospect coming out of USC but was overshadowed by first-round pick Barry Sanders. Of course, who wouldn’t be?

Peete was a sixth-round pick, mostly due to concern about arm strength, but he proved in his NFL tenure that his arm was good enough to make all the throws needed.

From 1989 -1993 he was a charismatic leader who got the most out of his skills for the Lions. Unfortunately, the injury bug was his worst enemy.

If not for an injury it would have been Rodney Peete who started against the Dallas Cowboys in the 1991 playoffs instead of Erik Kramer. Would the results have been the same? I’m not sure but his season-ending injury did occur during a 34-10 victory over the Cowboys in the regular season.

Along with injuries often sidetracking his career, Peete also had to adapt to multiple offensive systems. Between the two it made succeeding difficult, but when healthy and on the field, Peete gave the Lions their best chance to win games during that era.