Detroit Lions: Jared Goff will determine what Detroit does in next April’s draft
By Robert Jones
Jared Goff is already a polarizing figure in Detroit
Brad Holmes was part of the Los Angeles Rams scouting department when they used the first pick in the 2016 draft to select Jared Goff.
Today Holmes is the general manager of the Detroit Lions. A job that he was happy to land, but immediately had the problem to address of Matthew Stafford requesting a trade.
It became a trade where both teams got something they wanted. Sean McVay believes that Stafford will be the difference in the Rams finishing the deal and winning the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Holmes got valuable draft capital and a quarterback he is familiar with to lead the Lions.
How long Goff will lead the Lions is purely up to him.
While most of us believe that Holmes will draft his real quarterback of the future next April or even the following spring, that is a decision that will be made completely based on how Goff plays.
If Goff plays like a franchise quarterback, then Campbell will utilize him as such and Holmes with use the Lions’ draft picks on other needs. If Jared continues to be turnover-prone, then if Holmes does draft a quarterback it will be a direct result of Goff’s play.
Let’s be honest, if Goff turns it on and plays well, then it will be really easy to address other needs and not worry about finding a franchise quarterback in the draft. In Goff’s only preseason appearance he was solid. Not spectacular, but very solid.
In his short time in Detroit Jared Goff has become a polarizing figure. How he handles this opportunity will determine who will be the Lions’ quarterback of the future. It really is that simple. Much like the willingness that Holmes and Campbell had to send Breshad Perriman packing when he didn’t pan out, it will be the same for Goff.
If Goff can prove his skeptics wrong and play like a franchise quarterback, Holmes and Campbell will view him as just that. But if he proves his critics right and does not play well, then Goff himself will have basically cemented the selection of his successor.
