Former Lions quarterback Jeff Driskel making position switch

Jeff Driskel started three games under center for the Lions a couple years ago, and now he’s changing positions with the Houston Texans.

Jeff Driskel has made the rounds since being drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. The Cincinnati Bengals picked him up that year after he was waived, then stuck around there long enough to playing in nine games (starting five) for the Bengals in 2018.

Driskel landed with the Lions after the season started in 2019. When Matthew Stafford suffered a back injury at the midpoint of the that season he started three games, completing 59 percent of his passes with four touchdowms and four interceptions along with 151 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. He also caught a pass.

Driskel moved on to the Denver Broncos in 2020, making one start with three games appeared in. He moved on again, to the Houston Texans, where hasn’t seen action in a game this season. At least for now.

Jeff Driskel will change positions

According to Aaron Reiss of The Athletic, Driskel will move to tight end for the Texans.

According to Reiss, Texans tight ends coach Andy Bischoff said Driskel could contribute on special teams. In terms of when he might be active for a game, Bischoff said “We’re more looking at this as a developmental process.” Reiss added that Driskel is already a full time tight end/special teamer.

When was at the University of Florida, Driskel drew unfair and strained comparisons to Tim Tebow before finishing his college career at Louisiana Tech in 2015 (4,026 passing yards, 62.3 percent completion rate, 27 touchdowns, eight interceptions). At 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, size and athleticism (however shown in brief flashes) were not an issue in his lack of development as a quarterback. As noted by Pro Football Talk, he ran a 4.56 40-yard dash at the 2016 NFL Combine.

Good for Driskel to realize his opportunities to be an NFL quarterback have practically run out, and being willing to try another position when an opportunity presented itself. Maybe he can find a way to stick in the league as a tight end.