Could the Detroit Lions be preparing for life after Jared Goff?
It’s a conversation that has largely remained on the back burner thanks to Goff’s long-term contract, but a new 2027 NFL mock draft from Justin Melo of NFL Draft OnSI suggests Detroit could begin thinking about its future under center if things don’t go according to plan this season.
With the 23rd overall pick, Melo projects the Lions selecting Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker.
A Pivotal Season for Jared Goff
Melo believes 2026 could prove to be a defining year for Goff.
After Detroit followed up its 15-win 2024 campaign by finishing 9-8 and missing the playoffs in 2025, expectations are once again sky high. If the Lions fall short for a second consecutive season, Melo believes general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell could begin considering a long-term succession plan at quarterback.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Goff’s job is immediately in danger, but it could mean Detroit starts developing its quarterback of the future.
Who Is Drew Mestemaker?
Mestemaker is one of the fastest-rising quarterback prospects in the country.
After putting up eye-popping numbers at North Texas, he transferred to Oklahoma State alongside offensive coordinator Eric Morris, who has earned a reputation as one of college football’s premier quarterback developers. Morris previously helped shape the careers of stars like Patrick Mahomes and Cam Ward.
Melo believes the move to a Power Four program could significantly elevate Mestemaker’s draft stock if he produces another standout season.
Is This a Realistic Scenario?
For now, this remains exactly what it is: a projection more than a year before the 2027 NFL Draft.
Goff remains under contract through the 2028 season, and the Lions have repeatedly expressed confidence in their veteran quarterback. If Detroit returns to Super Bowl contention in 2026, drafting a quarterback in the first round could quickly come off the table.
Still, history has shown that successful NFL organizations often think several years ahead at the quarterback position. If Holmes believes a franchise passer is available when Detroit is on the clock, it would be difficult to rule anything out.
Whether or not Mestemaker ultimately lands in Detroit, Melo’s mock draft serves as an early reminder that the Lions’ long-term quarterback conversation may not be as far away as many fans think.
