Detroit Lions: Ranking the Draft Class By Rookie-Year Impact

By Zac Snyder | May 6, 2016

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Taylor Decker (Ohio State) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Detroit Lions as the number sixteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Jake Rudock (15) drops back to pass during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Jake Rudock

There is obviously a lot the Lions like about Rudock considering the pick started a mini run on quarterbacks in the sixth round rather than as a reaction to a run on quarterbacks. That being said, Rudock is probably the least likely to make the final roster besides Dwayne Washington as he’ll have to overcome Dan Orlovsky or at least show enough to warrant carrying a third quarterback on the 53-man roster.

As with any backup quarterback, the hope is that any impact he has is in the meeting room rather than on the field anyway. A backup quarterback making an impact on the field means something has gone wrong.

Best-case scenario: Carries the progression he made under Jim Harbaugh through training camp to displace Dan Orlovsky as the primary backup quarterback.

Worst-case scenario: Doesn’t earn a roster spot out of training camp but is signed to the practice squad to keep a third quarterback in the room.

Next: Number 8

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