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The Detroit Lions may have signed Dan Orlovsky last week, but their backup quarterback job isn't set in stone by any means. Since Shaun Hill isn't returning as the backup this year, the No. 2 spot on the depth chart should be up for grabs going into training camp, and Orlovsky and Kellen Moore are currently set to compete for it.
Orlovsky is the heavy favorite at this point to back up Matthew Stafford considering he's much more experienced than Moore. However, from a talent standpoint, it's possible that the Lions' best backup option may not even be on their roster right now. They said last month that they are open to drafting a quarterback to back up Stafford, and the Orlovsky signing hasn't closed the door on that possibility.
One potential backup option in the draft is LSU's Zach Mettenberger. Despite tearing his ACL at the end of the 2013 regular season, Mettenberger is planning to take part in all of the quarterback drills at LSU's pro day on Wednesday, according to Adam Caplan. Teams will get to see what kind of progress he's made in his recovery from that injury, and the Lions are planning to meet with him while in Baton Rouge.
LSU QB Zach Mettenberger throws for scouts Wednesday. He'll also meet privately with the Raiders, Vikings, Lions and Titans in Baton Rouge.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 7, 2014
CBS Sports projects Mettenberger to be a third-round pick. He could go much higher if his workout goes well, and he could also go much higher if there's an early run on quarterbacks in the draft. If the draft's top quarterbacks end up slipping, however, I suppose Mettenberger could feel the effects of that and fall to the fourth round as a result.
I just can't see the Lions drafting a quarterback on one of the first two days of the draft, so chances are Mettenberger would have to fall to the fourth round to end up in Detroit. The Lions have three fourth-round picks this year, and spending one of them to add more talent behind Stafford is certainly a possibility.