Since about the middle of last season, the Detroit Lions have been telling us where they are with Hendon Hooker. Reported interest in Daniel Jones as he neared being available was interesting, and understandable even though they didn't get him.
Bringing back Teddy Bridgewater after he coached his high school alma mater to a state title was done with the idea his experience (one career playoff start) was a real differentiator, and not a knock on Hooker.
Then Bridgewater was elevated over Hooker as the No. 2 quarterback for the playoff game against the Washington Commanders. The Lions' overall handling of Hooker in recent months has crushed any trade value he might have had, and there's an increasing vibe they know taking an older quarterback prospect who was coming off a torn ACL in the third round was a mistake.
The signing of Kyle Allen in free agency is not a needle mover overall, but ESPN's Ben Solak removed the wool from the eyes of anyone who wants to deny what it means for Hooker.
"The Lions are making it clear they do not trust Hendon Hooker. They replaced him at QB2 with Teddy Bridgewater last season once Bridgewater was done coaching his way to a high school championship, and Hooker will now battle with Allen for the same job. At this point, I'd be surprised if the 2023 third-round pick becomes a reliable backup anywhere. The Lions probably need a new developmental QB of the future."
Solak more recently pointed to the Lions possibly signing an undrafted rookie quarterback, which would be the clearest signal yet about Hooker's future in Detroit. A draft pick would be a clear sign Hooker will be fighting an uphill battle for a roster spot, but a UDFA would practically push him off the roster in short order.
Spinning it back toward a draft pick, these three Day 3 quarterback prospects could fully affirm Hooker's shaky status on the Lions' 2025 roster before the month of April is even over.
3 Day 3 QB prospects the Lions could draft to replace Hendon Hooker
3. Max Brosmer, Minnesota
After a productive two-year run as the starter at New Hampshire (FCS), Brosmer transferred to Minnesota for his final college season and showed the step up in competition was not too much for him. He set a Gophers' single-season school record with 268 completions last year, while completing 66.5 percent of his passes with 18 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
Brosmer is low-end functionally mobile (albeit with some limitations there) and not a dynamic threat with his legs. But he did score 12 touchdowns on the ground over his final three college seasons.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com echoed the current Lions' starting quarterback (and revealed a scheme fit for the Lions) with some of his evaluation of Brosmer.
"His production nosedives when the pocket heats up and he’s forced to move. Brosmer’s lack of mobility and second-reaction playmaking hurts his chances, but he should be appealing to a play-action based offense utilizing levels route concepts."
When forced to move, Brosmer does not add value with dynamic throws or subtract it by being reckless. There's a place for his kind of quarterback in the NFL, even if the most likely best-case scenario is to become a well-traveled career backup. The Lions could take a Day 3 shot here.
2. Will Howard, Ohio State
Howard's rough throwing session at the NFL Combine is easy to overrate, and ultimately he simply remained a Day 3 draft pick because of it. Size (6-foot-4, 236 pounds), mobility, toughness and experience (43 college starts at Kansas State and Ohio State) are his best assets, with arm strength and overall processing as a passer the biggest knocks on him.
Zac Jackson of The Athletic confirmed Howard's status, while lauding how he came out in interviews with teams.
"From the scouts and personnel people I spoke with, Howard is an interesting player who’s impressed in interviews and with his football acumen. But there are concerns about his arm strength and consistency, and the feeling is that Howard is in the third tier of quarterbacks in this class. He might go in the third round, but he also might have to wait until Day 3 to hear his name called."
The Lions are not known to have had any prominent pre-draft meetings or visits with Howard. But he seems to be the type of football player they like, which puts him on the radar as a Day 3 pick.
1. Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
Big hat-tip to Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports for this one. In light of Solak's idea about an undrafted rookie being on the table for the Lions, Payton offered Leonard as a better alternative.
In two full, not injury-interrupted seasons as a college starter, here's a look at Leonard's numbers.
2022 (Duke): 2,967 passing yards, 20 TD, 6 INT, 11.9 YPC; 699 rushing yards, 13 TD
2023 (Notre Dame): 2,861 passing yards, 21 TD, 8 INT; 906 rushing yards, 17 TD
As Payton highlighted, Leonard wasn't ask to throw the ball a lot last season at Notre Dame. So what he could be at the next level involves a fair amount of projection, but he completed at least 63 percent of his passes in each of the two aforementioned seasons.
There are the expected flaws of a Day 3 quarterback in a class at the position that is not highly regarded overall (arm strength, polish/processing as a passer). Solak's evaluation of Leonard is illuminating in a lot of ways.
"His biggest issue is shot selection. He's solid before the snap and can open throwing lanes with his eyes, but he doesn't like to hang in the pocket looking for downfield throws; he'd rather tuck and run. In a class with guys like Milroe and Ward, it's actually Leonard's 10.6% scramble rate that leads the pack. There's nothing too bad about that -- he's great on the hoof -- but he can rob his offense of deep shots in the process. Only 11% of Leonard's pass attempts this season went 20-plus air yards, which ranked 125th among 158 qualifying passers. When pressured, he's quick to his checkdown, but not in a good way; he's simply too cautious and unwilling to test downfield coverage unless the window is clearly open."
There's a case for Leonard having a lot of untapped upside, if he can be coached to let plays develop and show off arm strength his college tape didn't show often enough for some evaluators. The Lions could easily see a lot to like here.
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