Brad

Kaaya

This is officially the first player transaction of the Zac Taylor era. A sixth-round pick by the Lions in the 2017 draft, Kaaya is now joining his fourth team after also enjoying a brief cup of coffee with the Panthers.

He spent all of last year on injured reserve. A sixth-round pick out of Miami in 2017, Kaaya has yet to play an NFL down.

Kaaya (6’4/214) turned pro as a true junior after making 38 starts at The U, compiling a 19-19 career record with a pedestrian 60.6% completion rate, 8.15 YPA, and 69:24 TD-to-INT ratio. A timing-and-rhythm passer who played in a pro-style offense at Miami, Kaaya’s tape reveals sub-par arm strength and ball location. Kaaya also showed a tendency to panic under duress, persistently falling into back-foot throws. A mechanical pocket passer lacking standout physical traits, Kaaya’s plus smarts (34 Wonderlic score), football IQ, and intangibles are his calling cards. He’s an NFL backup.

A sixth-round rookie out of Miami, Kaaya completed 24-of-40 passes for 293 yards with three touchdowns and one interception during the preseason. He should catch on elsewhere, at least as a practice-squadder. Jake Rudock will open as Detroit’s No. 2 behind starter Matthew Stafford.

A sixth-round pick out of Miami, the Lions almost certainly were hoping to stash Kaaya on the practice squad. Instead, he will spend the season behind Cam Newton and Derek Anderson in Carolina. The Panthers cut former No. 3 QB Joe Webb on Saturday.

He was replaced on the roster by QB Garrett Gilbert, who was promoted off the practice squad Monday night. A sixth-round pick of the Lions this year, Kaaya will likely land on a practice squad.

Kaaya spent the summer with Detroit but was let go at final cuts and later claimed by Carolina. He gives the Lions some insurance for Matthew Stafford, who has been hampered by ankle and hamstring injuries in recent weeks.

He goes to make room for DT Khyri Thornton, whom the Lions activated from the reserve/suspended list. Kaaya was Detroit’s sixth-round pick in April.

He was waived to make room for CB Juante Baldwin. Kaaya spent time on the Colts’ active roster last year but did not see any game action.