NFL DRAFT TONIGHT # 8 Detroit Lions Questions

[WillPower]

Patricia wants an edge/linebacker....Mocks predict Florida State Brian Burns.
Quinn wants a Gronk.....Mocks predict Iowa TJ Hockenson

Does Quinn's vote overrule this coach's vote? Does Quinn trade down in the first round for another 3rd rounder? With who? Quinn says he doesn't have the ammo to trade up from #8...is that a smokescreen? The Lions have a glaring hole at RG and a RT who will retire after the season....will this be addressed? Alabama’s Jonah Williams?

WillPower
only the Shadow knows

 

[BlackFlag]

They could just default to the highest value at that pick

 

[BlackFlag]

I’m looking forward to finding out who’s career my Redskins will pick to ruin tonight

 

[rightwinger]

By number 8, the board may have blown up as teams trade up to take a QB

That could make much better players available by the time Detroit drafts

 

[WillPower]

By number 8, the board may have blown up as teams trade up to take a QB

That could make much better players available by the time Detroit drafts

The first four picks are consensus locks so anything that happens will start at #5.

 

[rightwinger]

By number 8, the board may have blown up as teams trade up to take a QB

That could make much better players available by the time Detroit drafts

The first four picks are consensus locks so anything that happens will start at #5.

We will see

 

[WillPower]

Allen Park — This is confusing, as confusing as ever. The prelude to the NFL draft always is a mix of lies and alibis, and it’s up to the expertly trained journalist to sift through shifting messages.

In the absence of that, you got me.

This is Bob Quinn’s fourth draft as Lions GM, and easily his most important because he possesses his highest slot –— No. 8 — which means he has the most to gain and the most to lose.

He can’t play it safe with his first top-10 pick, but also can’t reach for a risk.

He should have many options, which makes it the most confounding to figure out. That won’t stop me, naturally.

For the 35th consecutive year, I haven’t been invited to the Lions’ war room, and thus cannot confirm the presence of dart boards, Ouija boards and an impressive selection of craft beers.

Supposedly Quinn carries around a baseball bat to help him think, and also to bash anyone who jokes about drafting a long-snapper.

So we have two things to go on — Quinn’s history (different than the Lions’ history, to be fair), and whatever clues we can pluck from his words.

He generally has played it safe with his first-rounders, all solid choices who quickly became starters – Taylor Decker, Jarrad Davis, Frank Ragnow.

But when your team goes 6-10, it’s wimpy to be overly cautious, and imperative to show some urgency.

I’ve thoroughly analyzed what Quinn said about the draft, and by the end of this little exercise, I’ll give you the logical pick.

What follows are his actual quotes and my actual insightful analysis.

Quinn: “There’s a lot of defensive players in this draft that might not fit the exact model of the size, speed, for each position. But I think when you watch their film, they’re really good players, they might just be a little small for their respective positions.”

Analysis: He really, really likes Michigan’s 5-11 linebacker Devin Bush, and Florida State’s under-weight edge rusher Brian Burns. But he might be hesitant to take them because their ceilings could be high and their floors low. (It’s a draft term, just roll with it.) Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat also is intriguing, but has dropped on boards because of health concerns.

Quinn: “This year I think there’s a number of positions, I’d say especially on the defensive side of the board, that are good players that could come in and help immediately. But I don’t think you really need to take them super early.”

Analysis: Probably a smoke screen, because if Kentucky’s Josh Allen, LSU’s Devin White or Houston’s Ed Oliver drops to No. 8, Quinn will rupture ligaments leaping to grab one. His point is, he won’t trade up, and he’s imploring people not to cry if he doesn’t get any of them.

Quinn: “A tight end in the first round? Hahaha! Who’d ever consider that?”

Analysis: I made that quote up, as a nostalgic ode to first-rounders Eric Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew, selected at random by previous regimes under the influence of Oberon.

Quinn: “In all due respect to the fans out there, I can’t take the fan sentiment into who I draft and who I sign for this team. I wasn’t the person who drafted Eric, so I think it’s two different conversations.”

Analysis: Of course Quinn likes Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson, and many of the 39,537 mock drafts on the Internet have the Lions selecting him. He would be a fine fit for an offense in need of playmakers. But Quinn secretly hopes he doesn’t have to take him and spend the rest of his life getting accosted by Lions fans at the grocery store.

Quinn: “My phone lights up a lot (about trading down), trust me. I get a lot of text messages.”

Analysis: Quinn is not the only GM to publicly express interest in trading down for more picks, but I think he really means it. Without a bevy of touted quarterbacks – perhaps only Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins – not many teams are willing to trade up. Nevertheless, the ideal words out of Roger Goodell’s mouth at No. 8 would be, “We have a trade.” Or, “I have no idea why I bear-hug every draft pick when he steps on stage.”

Quinn: “There’s good depth in the offensive line in the draft, too. I think it’s a position we studied really hard, our coaches were out this year more than in previous years. We’ll kind of see how that goes, but there’s good depth at that position from the first round all the way down to the fifth and sixth round.”

Analysis: Quinn knows he needs a guard to replace T.J. Lang, but also knows he’s taken an offensive lineman in the first round twice in three years. He’d love to add Alabama’s Jonah Williams but is afraid Matt Patricia would rip his beard off if Quinn passed on a defensive player. So he’ll find a guard in the fifth or sixth round.

Quinn: “I’ve always said since the day I got here that the draft is a blend of need and best available (player). I think this year – just looking at our situation right now with what the board looks like and what our perceived needs are – probably a little bit more pushing toward the best available player. … It’s kind of uncharted territory for me (with a top-10 pick), to be honest.”

Analysis: Ah, the age-old question – do you take the biggest need, the best player available, or the best tight end available? Kidding! (I think.)

It could be a tight end, an offensive lineman, a defensive lineman, a defensive end or a linebacker. It almost certainly won’t be a receiver, running back, quarterback, safety or cornerback. Or long-snapper.

Unless a top defensive player drops, I think the Lions’ choice will come down to one of four players: Hockenson, Jonah Williams, Bush and Burns. One word used often by Quinn still rattles around in my head – playmaker. Quinn likes production and versatility, and also players from power programs. If he can’t trade down, he’ll have a shot at a major position of need -- edge rusher.


So reading between the lines and through the haze, here’s the Lions’ guy: Florida State defensive end Brian Burns, a tremendous pass rusher (24 sacks in three seasons) with a withering spin move. At 6-5, he’s also agile enough to drop into coverage.

This was a tough riddle to crack, so many options, so many variables.

Quinn said he doesn’t enjoy having a top-10 pick and would prefer never to have another. He might not, as long as he gets this one right.

[email protected]

Twitter: @bobwojnowski

Wojo: It's a puzzle, but here's who the Lions should draft

 

[WillPower]

GM's make earn their pay in rounds 3-5 when players from smaller schools in lesser conferences are scooped up. Quinn can't afford to blow a 1st rounder and has already signed 24 year old Jesse James (seriously, that's his name) a big money TE for 4 years....does that leave Hockenson in limbo? James can't play every down so Hockenson would get reps and slowly establish himself. But I don't believe Quinn can take a TE at #8 and satisfy an increasingly hostile fan base. On the other hand, nobody can claim he doesn't need a RG who can start from day one and move to RT when Wagner retires....I'm gonna predict the bulldozer from Alabama, Jonah Williams, a need pick over the best available.

 

[my2¢]

I don't follow college football that much and so have no opinions on the players. Wouldn't mind our local Cardinals trading down a bit and picking up an extra pick mid and lower round picks, our OL was a disaster last season. Fortunately it looks like my Browns won't have opportunity to screw up tonight.

As for Detroit, taking a TE at #8 wouldn't give me any warm fuzzy. I'd be more optimistic if they go with edge/linebacker route.

 

[WillPower]

I don't follow college football that much and so have no opinions on the players. Wouldn't mind our local Cardinals trading down a bit and picking up an extra pick mid and lower round picks, our OL was a disaster last season. Fortunately it looks like my Browns won't have opportunity to screw up tonight.

As for Detroit, taking a TE at #8 wouldn't give me any warm fuzzy. I'd be more optimistic if they go with edge/linebacker route.

When DE Burns visited the Lions they had him huddle with the LB coach more than the DE coach. I believe they see him as a guy who can survive in coverage since he's very fast and agile and a little light for a DE at 245lbs. As he ages or hits the weight room, he could easily put on another 10-12 lbs and not get tossed around by a 300lb OT. Once one of those guys gets his mitts on ya, how fast you are doesn't mean diddly. I've tried rooting for the Cards (been in Phoenix/Tempe since '74) but Bidwell was such a stingy shithead I didn't stay long...I still root for the Suns for some reason although Sarver to much worse than Bidwell ever was.

 

[rightwinger]

GM's make earn their pay in rounds 3-5 when players from smaller schools in lesser conferences are scooped up. Quinn can't afford to blow a 1st rounder and has already signed 24 year old Jesse James (seriously, that's his name) a big money TE for 4 years....does that leave Hockenson in limbo? James can't play every down so Hockenson would get reps and slowly establish himself. But I don't believe Quinn can take a TE at #8 and satisfy an increasingly hostile fan base. On the other hand, nobody can claim he doesn't need a RG who can start from day one and move to RT when Wagner retires....I'm gonna predict the bulldozer from Alabama, Jonah Williams, a need pick over the best available.

I agree

I could make picks in the first two rounds. The picks are pretty well laid out for you. You just need to pick among 3 or 4 players

It is round 3 and above where you have to find your gems

 

[rightwinger]

I don't follow college football that much and so have no opinions on the players. Wouldn't mind our local Cardinals trading down a bit and picking up an extra pick mid and lower round picks, our OL was a disaster last season. Fortunately it looks like my Browns won't have opportunity to screw up tonight.

As for Detroit, taking a TE at #8 wouldn't give me any warm fuzzy. I'd be more optimistic if they go with edge/linebacker route.

Cards have the key with what they do with Josh Rosen

 

[WillPower]

Cards have the key with what they do with Josh Rosen

I know, so why take ANOTHER QB with the first pick? I bet they take Bosa just to pimp SF.

 

[WillPower]

I agree

I could make picks in the first two rounds. The picks are pretty well laid out for you. You just need to pick among 3 or 4 players

It is round 3 and above where you have to find your gems

Well, the first round ain't that tough, but #2 and #3 take some good scouting....#2 for instance should be an immediate starter and you find a lot of OL in round #3 because there are so many of them a team thinks they can more around. Quinn says his board is pretty much set in December before underclassmen declare and before somebody blows the Combine workouts. He was never the GM in New England but old lady Ford believes in him....not sure I do...we'll see how things go over the next 3 days.

 

[Rocko]

I don't follow college football that much and so have no opinions on the players. Wouldn't mind our local Cardinals trading down a bit and picking up an extra pick mid and lower round picks, our OL was a disaster last season. Fortunately it looks like my Browns won't have opportunity to screw up tonight.

As for Detroit, taking a TE at #8 wouldn't give me any warm fuzzy. I'd be more optimistic if they go with edge/linebacker route.

Cards have the key with what they do with Josh Rosen

One of the guys on ESPN radio wants the Giants to get Rosen, which I think would be a mistake. He’s was underwhelming last year, as were all the rookie QB’s except for mayfield

 

[Rocko]

Is Nick Bosa really better than his brother? I don’t watch college football, but I’m not that impressed with his highlights

 

[rightwinger]

I don't follow college football that much and so have no opinions on the players. Wouldn't mind our local Cardinals trading down a bit and picking up an extra pick mid and lower round picks, our OL was a disaster last season. Fortunately it looks like my Browns won't have opportunity to screw up tonight.

As for Detroit, taking a TE at #8 wouldn't give me any warm fuzzy. I'd be more optimistic if they go with edge/linebacker route.

Cards have the key with what they do with Josh Rosen

One of the guys on ESPN radio wants the Giants to get Rosen, which I think would be a mistake. He’s was underwhelming last year, as were all the rookie QB’s except for mayfield

I’d like to see the Giants get Rosen for a second rounder

 

[Rocko]

I don't follow college football that much and so have no opinions on the players. Wouldn't mind our local Cardinals trading down a bit and picking up an extra pick mid and lower round picks, our OL was a disaster last season. Fortunately it looks like my Browns won't have opportunity to screw up tonight.

As for Detroit, taking a TE at #8 wouldn't give me any warm fuzzy. I'd be more optimistic if they go with edge/linebacker route.

Cards have the key with what they do with Josh Rosen

One of the guys on ESPN radio wants the Giants to get Rosen, which I think would be a mistake. He’s was underwhelming last year, as were all the rookie QB’s except for mayfield

I’d like to see the Giants get Rosen for a second rounder

He might be worth a flier if you’re going to get him that cheap. The reason why I’m not convinced he’s getting traded is if the cardinals were so intent on picking Murray it makes sense that they would have traded Rosen by now. Why wait?

 

[Rocko]

I don't follow college football that much and so have no opinions on the players. Wouldn't mind our local Cardinals trading down a bit and picking up an extra pick mid and lower round picks, our OL was a disaster last season. Fortunately it looks like my Browns won't have opportunity to screw up tonight.

As for Detroit, taking a TE at #8 wouldn't give me any warm fuzzy. I'd be more optimistic if they go with edge/linebacker route.

Cards have the key with what they do with Josh Rosen

One of the guys on ESPN radio wants the Giants to get Rosen, which I think would be a mistake. He’s was underwhelming last year, as were all the rookie QB’s except for mayfield

I’d like to see the Giants get Rosen for a second rounder

It seems like the Giants GM hates every QB.

 

[Rocko]

Kyler Murray went number one