National media outlet makes strong statement about Lions' draft plans
The Detroit Lions are a team that's clearly on the rise and ready to make some noise in 2023. But there's one thing that might be holding Detroit back — the lack of an elite quarterback. Jared Goff, who reached a Pro Bowl in 2022, will be the Lions' starter in 2023. But is it […]
The Detroit Lions are a team that's clearly on the rise and ready to make some noise in 2023.
But there's one thing that might be holding Detroit back — the lack of an elite quarterback.
Jared Goff, who reached a Pro Bowl in 2022, will be the Lions' starter in 2023. But is it wise to think a quarterback that the Los Angeles Rams traded away to better their chances of winning a Super Bowl (which they did) can lead the Lions to the promised land?
Detroit head coach Dan Campbell indicated earlier this offseason that the Lions believe in Goff.
"Listen, feel really good about it. Goff? Love Goff. Goff's our guy, man," said Campbell in late March (via NFL.com). "I think he's proven over the last two years that, man, he's made for us. He's had to endure a lot, just like all of us have. I thought he played his best football last year, and I think he's gonna come out and play some of the best this year. Feel good about it. So, I love our quarterback position right now."
Despite those comments from Campbell, CBS Sports Cody Benjamin believes the Lions are very much in play for a quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft.
From CBS Sports: Detroit fans are quick to champion the words of Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes when defending Jared Goff's job security as QB1. But let's not ignore the reality: Non-elite veterans — even established ones who've exceeded expectations — will never prevent an NFL team from exploring an upgrade if it's feasible. The Lions aren't hosting C.J. Stroud and Hendon Hooker on top-30 visits for no reason. With four picks in the first two rounds, they're better positioned than most to add a long-term signal-caller, regardless of how much lip service they've paid their current starter.
Detroit has two first-round picks (No. 6 and No. 18) and two second-round picks (No. 48 and No. 55).
It seems likely that the Lions will take a quarterback with at least one of those picks.
Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker is a player that would make a lot of sense for the Lions. But none of Detroit's first four draft picks are in a good spot to land Hooker.
No. 6 and No. 18 are too early for Hooker and he might not still be around when the No. 48 pick rolls around. The Lions might want to consider trading down with the No. 18 pick, but that would be a gamble as there are some quarterback-needy teams picking late in the first round that could select Hooker (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, and New Orleans Saints).
If the Lions really love Hooker then perhaps they take him at No. 18, but that selection would likely be criticized as a "reach".
We'll see how the draft plays out in a couple of weeks, but Lions fans should expect to see a quarterback selected by Detroit at some point in the 2023 NFL Draft.
