Mina Kimes Explains Why Lions Should Draft Quarterback in 2023

Several prominent NFL analysts believe that the Detroit Lions should select a quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft.

In Detroit, Jared Goff is established as the Lions’ starting quarterback heading into the 2023 season.

Goff paved his way into the role with a superb second half of the 2022 season. He led the team by playing interception-free football over the final nine games, winning seven contests in that stretch to ensure the team finished with a winning record.

Though Goff has proven to be a steady performer, there are concerns about his long-term potential as Detroit’s signal-caller. He has two years remaining on his contract, so the Lions could decide to add a young passer to learn from him over the next couple of seasons.

The 2023 NFL Draft will offer Detroit general manager Brad Holmes the opportunity to draft a quarterback. Recently, several prominent NFL analysts, including the NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and ESPN’s Mina Kimes, have claimed that Detroit could benefit from drafting a quarterback.

“I do think they really need to seriously consider drafting a quarterback, in part because I love this team so much,” Kimes said on NFL Live, ESPN's daily NFL studio show. “Like this team is going to be a case study for how to rebuild the right way. They are so headed in the correct direction. I think that they are positioned to become, you know, a true playoff contender. And while Jared Goff played at a high level in good surroundings, and we've seen him do that over the course of his career, I do think they have to ask: Is there a quarterback in this draft who can elevate the circumstances? A truly special player, the likes of whom can go toe-to-toe with you know, Patrick Mahomes, etc. 

"And, the other thing I’m worried about if I'm Detroit is we're going to be good. We may not be in this position again. So it's going to depend on their internal evaluation of the quarterbacks, but I think they need to at least consider it.”

The Lions have two first-round picks, and the benefit of first- rounders having fifth-year options makes drafting a quarterback early even more enticing.

“Sometimes when you have those two picks, I almost, I don’t want to say it’s a luxury, because you’re trying to get good players. But, when you look at the landscape of the NFL right now and you look at the high-end quarterback play, this gives you an opportunity to take a shot on one of those guys who could be that,” Jeremiah said.

Florida’s Anthony Richardson is a polarizing option. He boasts a rocket arm and has blazing speed, but didn’t post great numbers while leading the Gators. Based on tools alone, he’s a sure-fire top prospect. Yet, the production leaves room for concern. 

Worries aside, though, Richardson has the opportunity to bloom into a top-tier player. Because of this, he’s viewed as a player who could positively impact the Lions and their future hopes.

Kimes’ co-host, Ryan Clark, added that the team’s decision weighs heavily on whether it believes Goff can get the Lions to the next level.

“Jared Goff can get you right there,” Clark said. “And then, you feel like you need to take that next step. And now looking at their draft capital, also the way that they built this team, they're gonna look for that extra step that gets them to a position where they can compete for Super Bowls, where they can compete for an NFC North championship. And so, when you start to do your evaluations of these quarterbacks, when it gets to the Will Levis' and the Anthony Richardson's and they're still available, I think you're going to look at the upside and potential of those guys and maybe pull the trigger on drafting one.”

Jeremiah, speaking on a recent conference call, echoed the sentiment about Richardson’s potential outweighing that of Goff. That potential could bloom into the talent needed to take the Lions to the next level.

“(Richardson) is not at that level now, but ceiling-wise, with him and Jared Goff, his ceiling’s immensely higher,” Jeremiah said. “Jared is a solid, steady player right now. He’s playing winning football, but I think there is a ceiling on him. With Anthony Richardson, you don’t have a ceiling, so that’s why I think you’ll see him go. But, in making just calls over the last couple days, I don’t even think he’ll get (to No. 18).”