QB targets for the Detroit Lions at the NFL Combinen

The Detroit Lions are still fully committed to Jared Goff as their starting quarterback. With the veteran quarterbacking the team to two postseason victories and an NFC Championship game appearance, Goff has established himself as the quarterback of the future. Even so, the squad needs more depth going into the 2024 season. The only other quarterback on the team right now is Hendon Hooker, as Teddy Bridgewater retired. This means the Lions have the option to select a quarterback with a later-round pick.

These are the four quarterbacks that the Lions ought to watch this week in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine. One of the better Group of Five quarterbacks, Michael Pratt of Tulane led his team to a Cotton Bowl victory in 2022. He started for the Green Wave for four years and amassed a massive 9,611 throwing yards and ninety touchdown passes. Though he is a skilled and consistent passer, the seasoned player struggles with accuracy on some plays down the field and outside the numbers. He has also demonstrated that he values the ball, as evidenced by his four seasons as a starter with just 26 interceptions.

Ratt would be a great depth addition to any quarterback room as a four-year starter, but he still needs some refinement if he wants to become an NFL starter. He has the potential to become a Draft day steal with further improvement. Austin Reed, the Western Kentucky Bailey Zappe, a Western Kentucky product selected in the fourth round by the Patriots in 2022, is reminiscent of Reed. Similar to his predecessor, Reed started his career at a residence outside of the FBS. Reed saw Division II University of West Florida as a place to start. He tossed 40 touchdowns in 2019 and earned a national championship.

After Zappe left, he moved to play with the Hilltoppers, where he continued to lead the offence. He passed for 8,086 yards and 71 touchdowns in just two seasons. Reed completed a lot of pre-snap processing at Western Kentucky and has a lot of arm strength, but he could need to adjust to a more conventional Pro Style scheme after moving from the powerful Air Raid system. Nevertheless, there are several positive aspects of his passing potential. Though he is currently projected as a Day Three pick, in a competitive environment, he is likely worth a try.

Given his experience, Rattler is among the more intriguing talents available in the Draft. Rattler, who was formerly thought to be an Heirman favourite while at Oklahoma, was overtaken by Caleb Williams and then transferred following the 2021 campaign. Rattler’s job was to revive his career and master a new system after moving to South Carolina. He had a rough start to the 2022 season but improved in his last year after putting up a strong final quarter. He won MVP of the game after having a great Senior Bowl and has begun to gain more attention. He was thought to be a top pick not too long ago, and his arm talent hasn’t diminished.

Rattler has the capacity to move within the pocket and cut it loose. He may be able to advance in the quarterback class if he can demonstrate his abilities in Indianapolis. On Sam Hartman, a university Hartman, who transferred to Notre Dame after playing five seasons at Wake Forest, is another accomplished passer at the collegiate level. With five lifetime throwing yards, he had one of the most statistically prolific careers ever. Hartman is a methodical passer with the quickness to break out of the pocket and travel downfield in addition to his ability to drive the ball downfield.

Although he still needs to improve on a few mechanics, he has a lot of potential to be a reliable long-term backup and spot starter in the future. He will be helpful in quarterback rooms because to his versatility as a player.

See https://www.fresnobee.com/sports/nfl/article286005461.html#storylink=cpy for additional information.