Detroit Lions: An alternative answer at backup quarterback

The answer might be right in front of our eyes

This is where Bob Quinn paying attention and being willing to believe what he sees can come in handy. Fans get excited about college prospects all the time, but when a player is found from another source, they immediately downgrade that source. In this case, that other source could be the XFL.

The XFL boasts three quarterbacks that have enough ability to certainly be a primary backup in the NFL if not develop into legitimate starting quarterbacks. P.J. Walker of the Houston Roughnecks, Jordan Ta’amu of the St. Louis Battlehawks, and Cardale Jones of the DC Defenders.

All three have a least a little NFL experience and they have all played at a level that has given the new XFL credibility. And while the level of play in the XFL is not up to NFL standards, it is certainly above the college level.

I dare say that Lions fans would probably be more optimistic about seeing any one of those three come off the bench rather than Jeff Driskel or David Blough.

But if I was Bob Quinn, I would make a hard play for P.J. Walker. The former Temple product is a little small and may not be the most athletic of the three, but his pocket presence, touch, and accuracy, especially down the field, make him my choice to be the perfect backup for Matthew Stafford.

Let’s be honest, the fact that Walker is a leader and play-maker doesn’t hurt either. According to SportsCenter on Twitter, he’s thrown for an incredible 748 yards, 11 touchdowns, and one interception in three XFL games so far.

Perhaps the Indianapolis Colts didn’t see enough value in Walker, but the Lions should be able to. Especially given that Stafford is coming off back injuries in consecutive seasons.

The Lions desperately need to fix the defense, but getting a backup who is talented and young enough to still be developed, while having NFL experience and some valuable playing time this spring with the Houston Roughnecks which will end around the NFL draft, isn’t a bad option.

I believe that some NFL team will have P.J. Walker on their roster next season, so why shouldn’t the Detroit Lions be the one to give him the chance? Unless Bob Quinn actually wants to use the third pick to select Tua Tagovailoa, this gives them a low risk-high reward option that is definitely better than Driskel or Blough and could absolutely help Detroit win games if called upon.