Lions: Three Quarterbacks to target in free agency

Colin Kaepernick

Yes, Colin Kaepernick.  Although he’s been out of the game for three years, he would still be an upgrade to the Detroit Lions quarterback room.

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There is that significant question mark that remains; does he even want to play?  If he indeed wants to play, there is absolutely no reason why he wouldn’t be rostered today.  Kaepernick looked tremendous during his not so private workout in Atlanta this season.

Colin has always demonstrated world-class arm strength but lacked much-needed touch on the short and intermediate routes.  During his time in San Francisco, Randy Moss said that ball gets on you extremely quick with not much arc.

Kaepernick, similar to Mariota and Wilson can take off and win a game with his legs, just ask the Green Bay Packers when he ran for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns in a divisional victory.  He also added 263 yards and a pair of touchdown passes.

Throughout his career, Kaepernick hurled for 12,271 yards, a whopping 72 touchdowns, and just 30 interceptions.  His career quarterback rating nearly mirrors Stafford’s 88.9%.  Colin only completed 60% of his passing attempts, which speaks volumes to his inability to find receivers open throughout the route tree, particularly in the short passing game.

Kaepernick also rushed for 2300 yards and 13 touchdowns with the 49ers, averaging 6.1 yards/carry.  Darrell Bevell would have no issue scheming a game plan for Kaepernick in Detroit.  He’d benefit from moving around in the pocket, taking off doing damage on the ground if nothing opens up downfield.

He’s nowhere near as talented as Russell Wilson, but his ability to be mobile would allow Bevell to dust off his Seattle playbook and improvise, coaching to a players’ skill-set.  Kaepernick, along with Frank Gore, willed the 49ers to a Super Bowl birth, and that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Also, if Kaepernick ended up being a distraction during the regular season, Detroit could simply cut him and go back to Jeff Driskel or David Blough.