Detroit Jock City
Fansided

Detroit Lions Must Draft A Quarterback In 2015 NFL Draft

By Tony Fischer

facebooktwitterreddit

The Detroit Lions just finished a season in which they earned 11 wins and berth in the 2014 playoffs. With plenty of talent on the roster and a solid coaching staff the immediate future looks bright for the Lions. That said it is time for the team to start thinking beyond some of the players they have on the roster now, particularly at Quarterback.

Matthew Stafford just turned 26 prior to the 2014 season, his sixth as a professional. Statistically 2014 was the worst since his rookie season passing for 4257 and 22 touchdowns. On the surface those numbers don’t look have bad but when you compare them to quarterbacks from the Lions biggest competitors you see that Stafford’s production is behind those who he must beat in order to get the Lions to the next level.

[table id=34 /]

According to the Lions coaches, Matt Stafford excelled this season at increasing his pass efficiency by increasing his completion percentage and reducing interceptions. Jim Caldwell even joked about the media’s negative perception of Stafford numbers intimating that despite this years increased win total, unreasonable fans are still unhappy with his performance.  But Caldwell knows they will need more than just passing efficiency to get over the Superbowl hump.

Anything decent about Stafford numbers is buoyed by his performance at Ford Field where he rises to the expectations set upon him when the Lions drafted him 1st overall.  On the road, Stafford is a decidedly below average.  Stafford is 0-18 against teams with winning records away from Ford Field.  Admittedly it is unfair to blame the quarterback for all of those losses, he was on some truly awful teams in years past.  But in 2014 the Lions had one of their most talented rosters in years, especially on the offensive side of the ball.  Even with big name high-priced players like Reggie Bush, Golden Tate and Calvin Johnson the roster in 2014 Matt Stafford still couldn’t get one win on the road against a playoff contender.

Stafford had five opportunities to notch a win against a contender on the road this season.  He was 0-5 against Carolina, New England, Arizona, Green Bay and Dallas this season, all of whom are playoff teams. In order to get to the Superbowl a team has to be able to beat elite opponents on the road.  Stafford’s inability to lead his team to victory over this type of team is mind-boggling.

More from Detroit Lions

After signing an extension prior to the 2013 season, Stafford is under contract with the Detroit Lions through the 2017. Although the Lions seem set up for winning season in the future, it is unlikely they will get to the Superbowl with Matt Stafford running the offense. With three more years on his contract it is time for the Lions to find a successor Matthew Stafford. That is why it is vital for Martin Mayhew to draft a quarterback in the 2015 draft.

Drafting a quarterback this year will allow the Lions the ability to seamlessly and affordably transition the most important position on offense.  Drafting a QB this year will allow the Detroit Lions to develop talent from within and give the new signal caller the opportunity to learn the offense and hit the ground running when the time comes for him to start.

This strategy is not only cost efficient but highly effective.  Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Tony Romo all served as back-ups their first couple seasons in the league before moving into a starters role. During their time as starters each of their teams have been perennial playoff contenders.

Drafting a quarterback now could save the Lions time and money in filling a key position later. Brining in a new QB with the talent to compete with Matt Stafford could also push him to improve.

While he is under contract Matt Stafford will be the man under center for the Lions but there is no harm in preparing for the future.

Next: Detroit Lions 2015 Draft Needs

Home/Detroit Lions