Detroit Lions may need to be patient in process to replace Jared Goff

Questions surround the 2022 quarterback draft class

Most people consider Goff to be a stopgap at quarterback. If that’s true, then the logical next step is next April’s draft yielding Detroit’s new franchise quarterback.

Fans may clamor for a quarterback with a projected top-five pick, but general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell will ultimately make the final decision. Having two first-round picks might inform the direction that’s taken with what would be a top-five pick if the draft happened today.

So let’s say that Holmes and Campbell have decided it’s time to find their franchise quarterback of the future. At the moment that doesn’t mean much.

Normally having the first pick in the draft and being in the market for a quarterback is a good combination. But pre-season darlings Spencer Rattler and Sam Howell have fallen short thus far.

If neither Rattler nor Howell is the right one, then does that mean the Lions should take a flyer on Liberty quarterback Malik Willis?

According to Pro Football Focus’ top 100 prospects for the 2022 NFL draft, released at the end of September, the highest-rated quarterback is Willis at No. 8. Howell is No.10, Rattler is in at No.15 and Ole Miss signal caller Matt Corral is No. 27.

As far as the Lions are concerned, how Holmes has these prospects ranked is all that matters. But there is no Trevor Lawrence or Joe Burrow in the 2022 draft class right now.

Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino’s senior season at the University of Pittsburgh was considered lackluster, yet the Dolphins got a gem at pick No. 27 in the 1983 draft. It goes without saying Tom Brady was as a sixth-round steal, but the road is littered with Ryan Leafs and JaMarcus Russells that were drafted too early and couldn’t handle the pressure of being a top pick.

No matter what, Goff will be the Lions starting quarterback the rest of the season barring injury. There is a decent chance Goff, even if Holmes decides to select a quarterback with the earliest of the two first-round picks, will at least open next season as the starter.

So drafting Goff’s successor may ultimately wait until 2023, as Holmes builds a better roster top to bottom. Lions fans will have to be patient, and trust the process being led by Holmes and Campbell–wherever it goes, and until it’s shown they are or aren’t up to the task.