Right now the Lions have the No. 8 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, but GM Bob Quinn would be happy to trade down for extra picks.
Most NFL teams are doing everything they can to keep their Draft Day intentions a secret this time of year. The Lions don’t abide by that philosophy. Instead, GM Bob Quinn is telling anyone who will listen that he’s willing to move down if the price is right.
Quinn told Ian Rapoport on his podcast Wednesday that he would certainly be willing to “move back a couple spots” if it meant adding additional picks. Detroit’s GM went on to compliment the depth of this year’s draft class.
Quinn says he’s a big fan of the guys who could be available to the Lions in rounds 1-3.
Making that kind of public declaration is the equivalent of hanging a for sale sign on your first round pick. Quinn should expect to field a lot of phone calls over the next 48 hours about what it might take to move off of the No. 8 selection.
It’s a really good strategy for a team that has several big needs to fill in this year’s draft.
Specifically, coach Matt Patricia needs to find an impact pass rusher and starting cornerback via the draft. Obviously, the chances of finding that kind of player in the first three rounds are significantly higher than the Lions would encounter on Day Three.
In a perfect world, Detroit would move back a few spots in Round 1 and pick up another pick in one of the next two rounds. The placement of the other pick would hinge on how far the Lions would be required to move down on Day One.
The depth of this draft class at defensive end might push Detroit to use their first round selection on a cornerback capable of starting opposite Darius Slay. Coming out of the draft with a player like Greedy Williams, Deandre Baker or Byron Murphy would solidly fill the team’s need at corner.
Then the Lions could take a couple of swings at finding edge rushing help later in the draft. A ton of top-tier defensive ends are going to fly off the board on Day One, but there’s real quality to be found outside that top group.
Guys like Zach Allen, Chase Winovich and Jaylon Ferguson could present Detroit with interesting options after Day One.
As always, the devil in this idea for Detroit will reside in the details. They can’t five up too much first round real estate to acquire extra picks, but it’s a sound theory for the team’s front office. Don’t be shocked to see the Lions move down before the draft arrives.