Detroit Lions: 3 combine candidates to backup Matthew Stafford
Cole McDonald, QB, Hawaii, 6-3, 215, 4.58
Cole McDonald has to prove to many that his general low level of competition doesn’t mean that he can’t play. He ran a 4.58 forty-yard dash, had a 36.0-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot-1-inch broad jump on the NFL Network. Not only did he test very well but he showed upside as a passer, too.
McDonald served up a lot of yards in 2019, 4,135 yards, along with a 63.8 completion percentage, 33 touchdowns, and14 interceptions according to College Football Reference.
McDonald is a borderline draftable prospect but could ascend into the later stages of the draft if he continues having solid performances like he had Thursday night into his pro day and other workouts. He demonstrated the kind of versatility that could develop into a contributor and possibly a starter if the Detroit Lions coach him up right.
McDonald already has the plus arm strength to succeed but has to adjust to top competition. The run-and-shoot offense that he played in is not similar to NFL offenses and some have questioned McDonald’s accuracy but he looked good Thursday.
Next. Five Lions players who might be finished in Detroit. dark
Cole McDonald looks like an NFL quarterback that might interest the Detroit Lions and is faster than most of them, already, which could bring another facet to the Lions offense, too.