The Lions will be enlisting a bit more help at the quarterback position this offseason, signing undrafted Kansas State quarterback Adrian Martinez, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Martinez will try to find a place in the NFL after five years as a starter at the college level.
Martinez began his career as a four-year starter at Nebraska, starting as a true freshman for the Cornhuskers. He had perhaps one of his best seasons as a college rookie completing 64.6 percent of his passes for 2,617 yards and 17 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. Martinez struggled through his sophomore year and had to fight off Luke McCaffrey to hold on to his starting job for the next two seasons. He ended his Cornhusker career with a 14-24 record as a starter, passing for 8,491 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions.
Martinez used his final year of eligibility to transfer to Kansas State, where he became the starter for the Wildcats and led them to a 5-2 start before injuries limited him for the rest of the year. At Kansas State, Martinez passed for 1,261 yards and six touchdowns with only one interception. Martinez also brings a dangerous rushing element to the field. Over five seasons at the college level, he rushed for 2,928 yards and 45 touchdowns, giving him 96 total touchdowns for his career.
In Detroit, Martinez enters a quarterbacks room that includes veterans Jared Goff and Nate Sudfeld and rookie third-round pick Hendon Hooker. He’ll likely be trying to compete for a third-string spot. His rushing availability makes him a useful practice squad quarterback who can run the scout team offense to simulate a division opponent like Justin Fields.
Smart move by Lions. He can be signed to the practice squad & mimic any mobile QB
What a smart addition by Holmes! Perfect practice squad QB! Can mimic Fields, Hurts, Jackson, etc.