The Detroit Lions are adjusting their roster for the next season, and some college quarterbacks may play a key role.
The Detroit Lions are shaping their coaching staff and player roster for the upcoming season, and this could involve their quarterback position. While Jared Goff remains the team’s franchise quarterback, the status of his backup quarterbacks, Hendon Hooker and Jake Fromm, is uncertain for next season. Hooker is entering the final year of his rookie contract, while Fromm is on a reserve/futures deal.
As a result, it wouldn’t be out of the question for the Lions to target a backup quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft.
In a February 23 article for Sports Illustrated, Christian Booher discusses four quarterbacks the Lions should monitor during the NFL Combine. He points out that with uncertainty surrounding the team’s second and third quarterbacks, “there’s a chance the Lions could look into adding young depth at the position in the 2025 draft.”
The first quarterback Booher mentions is Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss, who he identifies as “the most popular candidate to be the third quarterback drafted among pundits, with some even suggesting he could rise into the first-round conversation with a strong showing in Indianapolis.”
Booher notes that Dart requires some “fine-tuning to be successful,” but if the Lions could secure the No. 3 quarterback in the draft, it would be a major win for the team.
Dart is also praised for his “solid arm” and mobility, qualities that would complement the Lions’ offense.
Other quarterbacks Booher highlights include Quinn Ewers from Texas, Jalen Milroe from Alabama, and Tyler Shough from Louisville.
Looking beyond the quarterback position, Ben Rolfe of Pro Football Network recommended in a February 19 piece that the Lions pursue Khalil Mack from the Chargers in free agency.
“Perhaps the most intriguing fit would be adding Khalil Mack alongside Za’Darius Smith and Aidan Hutchinson,” Rolfe stated. “The Lions have the luxury to pursue this due to their elite pass-rushing group.”
He continued, “Mack will come at a high price, but the Lions can manage that with void years and other strategies. With over $40 million in cap space and few major needs, they’re in a prime position to compete for a Super Bowl. Mack would be a significant addition, and this trio would be terrifying for opposing offenses.”
NFL analyst Brad Berreman from SideLion Report agrees, noting, “The Lions need an edge rusher, and pairing Mack with another top-tier pass rusher in his prime would be ideal.” He adds that the Lions’ status as a Super Bowl contender puts them in a favorable position to sign Mack, unlike many other teams who will be competing for his services.
He concludes, “The Lions should be a serious contender for Mack, and they have the resources to make a strong offer. It’s a perfect fit for both sides.”