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Lions 2022 NFL Draft: MAC quarterbacks worth watching Wednesday night

By Brad Berreman

Sep 18, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Western Michigan Broncos quarterback Kaleb Eleby (5) passes against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Broncos won 44-41. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Western Michigan Broncos quarterback Kaleb Eleby (5) passes against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Broncos won 44-41. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the Lions on a bye, two quarterbacks playing mid-week #MACtion are worth watching on Wednesday night.

The 0-8 Detroit Lions have a welcome bye week this week, and even the most faithful fans have to have an eye on the future. The 2022 NFL Draft is devoid of top-end quarterback prospects, but the Lions are sure to come out of next April’s proceedings with someone who could become the guy post-Jared Goff.

The Lions could wait to take a quarterback in the 2022 draft, in the hopes of uncovering a hidden gem. That invites someone who is not well-known to come in, and fans might not be thrilled.

Now in November, the Mid-American Conference (the MAC) is playing weeknight games again as a way to get more exposure for the conference. On Tuesday night, #MACtion was in all its glory with all three games going down to the wire. On Wednesday night, there are two MAC games on the schedule. Lions fans may want to pay attention to a quarterback playing in each game.

Lions 2022 NFL Draft: Two MAC quarterbacks on display Wednesday night

Kaleb Eleby, Western Michigan

Both MAC games kickoff at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday night. Central Michigan will visit Western Michigan, led by quarterback Kaleb Eleby.

In six games last season. Eleby had 1,715 passing yards and a MAC-leading 18 touchdowns, with two interceptions and a MAC-best 194.8 passer rating. So far this season, he has 1,977 passing yards with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions (both in the same game) and a 145.7 passer rating (48th in FBS).

In his ranking of top-10 quarterback prospects for the 2022 draft late last month, Cam Mellor of Pro Football Network ranked Eleby No. 6 (ahead of Spencer Rattler).

"Kaleb Eleby has been a rollercoaster in 2021. He’s thrown 2 interceptions, both in the same game, and then returned to form a week later. He then put forth another below-average performance against a Toledo defense that is far from being a world-beater. Still, the great in Eleby’s game has shone through more than enough in 2021 to warrant his discussion among the country’s best. The zip on his passes is impressive, as is his placement at times. He throws receivers open despite their drop issues this season. Eleby’s tools are sharp. But among the things holding him back at this point is his lack of nuanced pocket footwork. Eleby can be coached through some of his shortcomings at the next level. As such, his proverbial ceiling may be one of the highest in the class."

Eleby is smaller than NFL scouts might like (6-foot-1, 210 pounds), and he’s got some refining to to in his game. He may be a mid-to-late-round pick in April, with a strong finish in the final four regular season games and a likely bowl game looking pretty important. Last year against Central Michigan he threw for 382 yards and five touchdowns, so the matchup against the rival Chippewas is coming at a good time to start to boost his draft stock.

How To Watch Eleby Wednesday night: vs. Central Michigan, 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU

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