The Detroit Lions have their top quarterback locked in, with Jared Goff as the starter and second-year signal-caller Hendon Hooker as the No. 2.
However, the Lions might add some competition for the third spot by bringing in South Alabama quarterback Carter Bradley this summer, according to analyst Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports. Payton highlighted Carter as one of the 10 undrafted free agents to watch in Detroit, mentioning his strong showing at the Senior Bowl but suggesting he might not get drafted.
Payton wrote that Bradley could be a valuable addition for the Lions if he isn't chosen in the draft.
“I believed that Bradley was the standout quarterback at the Senior Bowl during practices,” Payton wrote. “He was consistently accurate and released the ball quickly. However, there’s a good chance that he still won't get drafted.”
Lions Advised to Bring in Carter Bradley as Practice Squad Prospect
Payton identified Bradley as a potential practice squad quarterback for the Lions, someone who could add talent without competing for playing time.
“If he doesn’t get drafted, the Lions could bring him in to work on the practice squad and assess his potential for the future. He could be a reliable backup or even develop into the Lions' next David Blough. A good football mind is definitely worth having around,” said Payton.
Ian Cummings of Pro Football Focus called Bradley a “priority free agent” if he goes undrafted, but that is not guaranteed.
“The South Alabama quarterback might be one of the best options for teams needing a quality backup candidate in the mid-to-late Day 3 range,” Cummings wrote.
“Bradley’s lack of ability to create plays may limit his potential to being a quality backup or spot starter,” Cummings added. “But in that role, he has the arm, composure, mechanical knowledge, overall accuracy, basic processing, and discretion to be a reliable presence as a safety net.”
Bradley would face some competition for the third spot. The Lions announced on March 27 that they re-signed veteran quarterback Nate Sudfeld for his third season. Sudfeld had initially joined the Lions before the start of the 2022 season and played in two games that year. He suffered a torn ACL during training camp last season and missed the entire 2023 season.
Lions Getting Ready for Significant Commitment to Jared Goff
The Lions seem to be focused on their top quarterbacks, working with Goff’s representatives on a long-term extension. Appearing on SportsCenter on April 15, insider Jeremy Fowler said there was mutual interest in a long-term deal and a major financial commitment.
“He wants to be there,” Fowler said, via Bleacher Report. “Only 29 years old, due to make about $28 million this year, so he’s going to have to be in that threshold of $45- maybe even $50 million a year based on the way he’s played. So, it’s going to take some time to get that done.”
