7 Quarterbacks for Lions to Watch at 2023 Scouting Combine
One of the most important parts of the process leading up to the NFL Draft is the Scouting Combine. The event, which runs this year from Feb. 28 through March 6, allows prospects to prove their prowess in front of NFL scouts.
Over the course of the week, the draft prospects will compete in a series of on-field drills, while also getting the opportunity to interview with teams. The Detroit Lions will be out in full force, as they hold two first-round selections.
Though the Lions have Jared Goff entrenched as their starting quarterback heading into the 2023 season, they could still evaluate and pursue a quarterback prospect in the 2023 Draft.
Here are seven quarterbacks the Lions should evaluate in the scouting combine.
Bryce Young, Alabama
Young is worth monitoring as the consensus top quarterback prospect in the 2023 draft class. He’s super talented in terms of arm strength and play-making ability. In two seasons as Alabama’s starting quarterback, he threw for over 8,000 yards, and won the Heisman in 2021.
The main concern with Young is his size. Not only is he below average in height, but his weight is below the prototypical standard, as well. He’s been labeled as an outlier by prospect evaluators in terms of build.
The combine will give him an opportunity to prove that his size won’t be a factor in his future. Though he’s drawn comparisons to some of the league’s best signal-callers, Young will enter the combine with something to prove.
Anthony Richardson, Florida
Richardson is another intriguing prospect. From a pure traits perspective, he has everything needed from a professional quarterback. Yet, his performance in college left plenty to be desired.
At 6-foot-4, he physically checks off all the boxes. He’s got plenty of arm strength, and could be the fastest quarterback at the combine in the 40-yard dash. However, he struggled in college to string together good performances.
Richardson had just one season as Florida’s starter. He engineered an upset of Utah in the season opener, but led the team to just a 6-6 record in 12 starts. He completed just 53.8 percent of his passes, leading to questions about his accuracy.
The combine offers Richardson a chance to provide clarity to some of the uncertain aspects of his game. Though a developmental prospect, he could certainly help his stock by wowing scouts with a strong performance in Indianapolis.
His developmental nature could make him appealing to the Lions, which could allow him to sit behind Goff for at least a year while letting him grow.
Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson
© Doug Engle / USA TODAY NETWORK
Will Levis, Kentucky
Levis is similar to Richardson, in the fact that his numbers weren’t awe-inspiring, but his physical traits just might be enough to make him the first quarterback drafted in April. He has a strong arm -- and potentially the strongest of any quarterback in the draft class.
He was a solid player at Kentucky for two years, transferring there after spending time at Penn State. Becoming the starter for the Wildcats in 2021 allowed him two seasons to show off his skill set, which includes some mobility in addition to his arm talent.
Like Young, Levis could be a player whom the Lions have to trade up for. Through the Kentucky product's performance and interview process, Detroit will soon learn whether or not Levis is a player it sees as a fit.
Jake Haener, Fresno State
Haener emerged from the Senior Bowl as the best option among the projected middle-round quarterbacks. Dane Brugler, lead draft analyst for The Athletic, recently compared Haener to Brock Purdy, who emerged as the San Francisco 49ers’ starting quarterback this past season due to injury.
There’s no denying Haener’s ability to lead a team and make plays in the clutch. He doesn’t have the traits that the top quarterbacks have, but his mentality helps close the gap amongst him and the top choices.
Haener is an intriguing prospect for teams which have a set option behind center but want to evaluate the backup market. He could develop with time on the sideline, making him a good fit for the Lions. He’s certainly a player worth monitoring in Indianapolis.
Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener
Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports
Max Duggan, TCU
Duggan is another intriguing prospect. He led TCU to the national championship game, after beginning the year as the team’s backup. With a bit of mobility, he can be a two-way threat, if everything comes together for him at the next level.
The TCU product has questions to answer about his accuracy and ball placement. Though he’s far from polished, it’s hard not to like his winning pedigree and toughness. He’ll be an appealing prospect, but he’ll have to have a solid showing at the combine to move forward with major interest.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA
UCLA began the year 6-0, as Thompson-Robinson threw 15 touchdowns against just two interceptions. However, the Bruins struggled in the second half of the season, as his play wasn’t sustained.
He’s a threat both in the passing game and run game, though his arm talent needs polish. He threw eight interceptions over the season’s final six games, including three apiece in two of the season’s final three games.
The mobility is appealing, as is the fact that he was a four-year starter with the Bruins. He’s plenty experienced, but still has room for growth heading into the NFL. His performance at the combine should give scouts a better idea of where he stands.
The Lions could benefit from adding a mobile signal-caller, and Thompson-Robinson offers the perfect late-round option. A strong performance will move him up boards, but he will likely remain an option for Detroit on the draft’s third day regardless.
Tyson Bagent, Shepherd
Bagent is a Division II signal-caller who impressed enough to warrant an invite to the combine. He was up-and-down at the Senior Bowl working against top competition, but the exposure lent him an opportunity to show what he’s capable of.
The combine is another step in the right direction for the small-school prospect. He has plenty to prove, but is a player whom the Lions should keep an eye on as a potential late-round prospect.
