In perhaps the biggest upset of the 2021 season, the Detroit Lions shocked the Arizona Cardinals by defeating them 30-12 in Week 15.
While the win may have helped to assure that Dan Campbell will receive a second season as Detroit's head coach, the 2-11-1 Lions are no longer in position to have the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
With the Lions win and their loss to the division-rival Houston Texans Sunday, the 2-12 Jacksonville Jaguars now have the worst record in the sport, and are on track to have the top overall pick in the NFL Draft for a second consecutive season. The Jaguars, of course, used last year's No. 1 pick to select quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Most outlets currently believe that one of Aidan Hutchinson or Kayvon Thibodeaux, both edge rushers, will be the first player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Lions now have the NFL's second-worst record, putting them in position to have the No. 2 pick. It's possible that Hutchinson, a collegiate star at Michigan, could still be on the board with the second pick.
Meanwhile, the Texans improved to 3-11 with a 30-16 win over the Jaguars Sunday. They have the sport's third-worst record.
While the Jaguars will certainly move forward with Lawrence at quarterback, both the Lions and Texans could theoretically be in the quarterback market this offseason.
The Lions are probably stuck with Jared Goff's contract for another year, as they would have over $30 million in dead cap money if they released him this upcoming offseason. But it's probably safe to assume that the former Pro Bowler won't be the team's long-term answer at the position.
Unless third-round pick Davis Mills sets the world on fire in the final three games of the regular season, the Texans almost certainly will be looking for a new starting quarterback this offseason. General manager Nick Caserio is expected to trade Deshaun Watson once his legal situation is sorted out.
The problem for both the Lions and the Texans is that even if they don't have the top pick, they may have to reach for a quarterback at their current draft position. A year after three quarterbacks went with the top three picks, it's possible that none of the top three picks are used on quarterbacks in 2022. Matt Corral of Ole Miss and Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh will likely be first-round picks, though neither are viewed as can't-miss prospects.
As is, the New York Jets and New York Giants are on track to round out the top five picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
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