The Detroit Lions are in a Super Bowl window with Jared Goff firmly entrenched as the starter, but that doesn’t mean Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell are ignoring the future at quarterback.
Behind Goff, the depth chart has been a revolving door. During the 2025 season, Kyle Allen served as the primary backup, while C.J. Beathard spent time on the practice squad. Now, the Lions have brought back Teddy Bridgewater to back up Goff in 2026. Bridgewater is a solid veteran, sure, but he doesn’t offer much in terms of long-term upside or dynamic athletic ability.
That’s why it wouldn’t be surprising to see Detroit take a swing on a mobile quarterback in the middle or late rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. Not a replacement for Goff, but a developmental piece who can bring a different dimension to the room, push the backup job, and potentially grow into something more.
Here are three athletic quarterbacks the Lions could do some serious homework on.
Haynes King – Georgia Tech
If the Lions are looking for toughness, mobility, and leadership, Haynes King checks a lot of boxes.
King is a true dual-threat who ran Georgia Tech’s offense with a fearless style, showing legit speed (sub-4.5 range), a strong arm, and the ability to make plays outside structure. He finished his college career with nearly 10,000 passing yards and over 2,400 rushing yards, while accounting for more than 100 total touchdowns.
Scouts see him as a late Day 3 pick or priority UDFA, though some believe a big Senior Bowl and Combine could push him into the middle rounds. He’s often compared to a Taysom Hill–type or a Taylor Heinicke-style competitor — not a polished pocket passer, but a dangerous runner with play-extension ability and a ton of grit.
For Detroit, King would offer:
- A mobile change-of-pace QB
- A developmental upside play
- A possible gadget-package option in short yardage and red zone
Taylen Green – Arkansas
Taylen Green might be the most physically gifted runner of the group.
At 6-foot-6 with long strides and explosive speed, Green is a nightmare when he gets into the open field. His arm strength is real, and his ability to stress defenses horizontally and vertically makes him a fascinating developmental prospect.
While consistency as a passer is still a work in progress, Green’s raw tools are exactly the kind teams love to bet on in the later rounds. He fits the modern NFL mold of quarterbacks who can survive chaos, escape pressure, and turn broken plays into chunk gains.
In Detroit, Green could:
- Add true zone-read and RPO potential to the playbook
- Push the QB room athletically
- Develop behind Goff without pressure to start early
Cole Payton – North Dakota State
If any program knows how to develop NFL quarterbacks, it’s North Dakota State, and Cole Payton may be their next intriguing project.
Payton is an outstanding athlete who originally made his name as a runner before transitioning more fully into the passing role. He brings size, speed, and physicality, along with the competitive makeup NFL teams love.
He’s still raw as a pure passer, but his upside as a developmental dual-threat is real. Think of him as a high-ceiling toolbox prospect, someone who could grow into a legit backup or even a versatile offensive weapon if coached up properly.
For the Lions, Payton would offer:
- Strong mobility in boot and rollout concepts
- Short-yardage toughness
- Long-term developmental upside
Why a Mobile QB Makes Sense for Detroit
Jared Goff isn’t going anywhere, and that’s a good thing. But adding an athletic quarterback behind him could:
- Protect against injuries with a different style of play
- Give the offense schematic flexibility
- Provide long-term developmental insurance
- Push competition in the QB room
Brad Holmes has shown he’s willing to take smart swings on high-upside players late in drafts. A mobile quarterback with developmental traits fits that exact profile.
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