Heading into the 2022 NFL season, the big question for the Detroit Lions was, “can Jared Goff do enough to be their quarterback of the future?” Goff has certainly had his ups and downs so far this season, but through his first 12 games in 2022, he has completed 64.9% of his passes for 3,022 yards and 19 TDs to go along with seven interceptions. Personally, I think Goff has certainly upped his game this season, but I’ve not yet decided if I want him as the Lions QB of the future. That being said, if I had to make a prediction, I would bet the Lions take a quarterback with one of their two first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. But could the Lions actually end up selecting the next… Jared Goff?
Could the Detroit Lions draft the next Jared Goff?
As it currently stands, the Lions hold the rights to the No. 4 overall pick (Via Los Angeles Rams) and the No. 15 overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Now, we still have five weeks left in the regular season, so those positions are likely to move either up or down a bit depending on how many games the Rams and Lions win/lose down the stretch.
Before the season started, many talked about how the 2023 NFL Draft would have a handful of solid quarterbacks to consider, but I don’t see it. To be honest, the only QB I would even consider with a Top 10 pick is Alabama QB, Bryce Young. The problem is, at this point, it seems like the Houston Texans will have the No. 1 overall pick, and they need a QB. My best guess would be that the Texans rush to the podium to select Young with the top pick.
With Young off of the board, many are now mocking Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud to the Lions with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Writer compares C.J. Stroud to Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff
In a scouting report recently released by SI.com, Zach Hicks says that Stroud reminds him of Lions’ QB, Jared Goff.
Stroud is a throwback pocket passer that struggles when he is asked to work outside of structure and be creative. He was one of Pro Football Focus‘ lowest-graded QB’s against pressure this season, and it shows on film. He doesn’t have the mobility, the arm talent, or the natural feel to create when things break down.
In an NFL that has seen a recent rise in creative passers, where does a player like Stroud fit? As much as it pains me to say it, I see a player that is very similar to Jared Goff in a lot of ways. Goff was a number one overall pick due to his accuracy in college, and he wowed evaluators with his highlight reel touch throws.
If Goff were in this draft class, would he still go number one overall? How about top 10? That is the question that NFL evaluators should ask themselves with Stroud. I think there is a lot of good in Stroud’s game, but the concerns with how he fits in today’s NFL will be there come draft time.
As far back as 2021, I have been saying that I am not a huge fan C.J. Stroud in terms of him eventually being a great NFL quarterback. I think he is largely a product of the Ohio State system, as he has been surrounded by the best-receiving corp in college football for the last two years.
If the Lions are on the clock in the Top 5, which it seems will be the case, they will likely have the opportunity to select C.J. Stroud. But if they do, will they just be selecting the next Goff? Or, do you see Stroud being a superstar at the NFL level?
I have to believe the Lions will looking for a quarterback with more mobility than Stroud has, so I would cross him off of the list.
