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Detroit Lions initial draft outlook: Quarterbacks

The college all-star games are coming up over the next two weeks with the NFL combine on the horizon in February.

Many players drafted by teams will play in one of the three games for seniors or from the underclassmen pool. Over the next two weeks, along with our positional outlooks, we’ll give a few names to pay attention to over the next month. Remember, these lists will be fluid as the draft process continues.

Shrine Game:

No. 7 East Anthony Boone, Duke (6-1, 225): Rated as the No. 7 quarterback by ESPN. He isn’t a particularly accurate passer (56.3 percent last season) and his size is questionable. He makes good decisions, though (19 touchdowns, eight interceptions) and can also run a little, gaining 375 yards with five touchdowns.

No. 14 East Taylor Heinicke, Old Dominion (6-1, 210): Rated as the No. 16 quarterback by ESPN. Also lacks ideal size, but has a lot of experience. He helped his team transition from FCS to FBS. He finished his career with 16,279 yards of offense, 132 touchdown passes and 14,959 passing yards. He has a strong arm despite his height.

No. 6 East Hutson Mason, Georgia (6-2, 210): Rated as the No. 15 quarterback by ESPN. He has good size, but not a ton of experience as he backed up Aaron Murray. He was very accurate in his one season as a starter, completing 67.9 percent of his passes including 21 touchdowns and four interceptions. Played in a run-heavy offense with Nick Chubb and Todd Gurley as the backs.

No. 10 West Taylor Kelly, Arizona State (6-2, 205): Rated as the No. 13 quarterback by ESPN. Dealt with a foot injury throughout the season, but when he played was effective. Didn’t have a good completion percentage (59.4), but threw for 22 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He entered the 2014 season with a 65.3 completion percentage and efficiency rating of 155.6 and has thrown at least 10 more touchdowns than interceptions in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

No. 17 West Cody Fajardo, Nevada (6-2, 215): Rated as the No. 11 quarterback by ESPN. He has good accuracy, with a 65.5 career completion percentage. Career pass efficiency rating of 136.1. Is a dual threat as he gained 3,433 yards rushing with 44 touchdowns in his career.

Senior Bowl:

Garrett Grayson, Colorado State (6-2, 220): Rated as the No. 9 quarterback by ESPN. Two-year starter for the Rams and he completed 64.8 percent of his passes as a senior. Threw for 32 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2014 and the touchdown passes are a school record. Had a pass efficiency rating of 171.3. Most important, he improved in his second season as a starter in completion percentage, yards, touchdowns and interceptions.

Shane Carden, East Carolina (6-2, 218): Rated as the No. 8 quarterback by ESPN. Posted a 140 efficiency rating or better in his three seasons as a starter. Threw 10 interceptions in each of his three years as the starter. Had 23 touchdowns or more in each of those seasons, though. As a junior, he completed 70.5 percent of his passes. Like Grayson, could be an intriguing mid-round pick.

Others:

Sean Mannion, Oregon State (6-5, 227): Rated as the No. 10 quarterback by ESPN. Has good height. Improved dramatically his last two seasons and finished with a 64.6 completion percentage. His best season was his junior year, though, when he threw for 37 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and averaged 358.6 yards a game.