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CBS Sports predicts Detroit Lions could land number one pick

By Steven Mullenax

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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If the Detroit Lions landed the number one pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, their fall from grace could grant them a blockbuster trade.

It almost inconceivable to think the Detroit Lions, a team that posted a 9-7 regular season record and made the playoffs (despite possessing one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL) could end up being the last place team in the league the following year.

But according to a writer for CBS Sports, that’s exactly what he expects to happen. And if it does, than the Lions would end up earning the top overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.

"“The Lions are not a great football team. They’re a lucky team with a good, not great quarterback. And they reside in the tough NFC North. A decline is coming. The only question is, how far will they fall?” wrote Sean Wagner-McGough for CBS Sports. “I’m pessimistic that they’ll fall all the way to the worst in the league.”"

The last time the Lions had the number one overall selection they drafted Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford back in 2009. That turned out pretty well.

But next year’s draft appears to have a crop of very talented quarterbacks at the top of the board. Names like USC’s Sam Darnold, Wyoming’s Josh Allen and UCLA’s Josh Rosen could all be up for grabs.

As Detroit already has Stafford under center, this could potentially be big news for the Lions as it would mean that a blockbuster trade could be in their immediate future.

With Stafford hopefully locked down to a multi-year contract by the time the draft kicks off next year, Detroit could use the building quarterback hype prior to the draft to secure themselves multiple high picks in exchange for the number one overall selection.

Using the 2016 NFL Draft as an example, the L.A. Rams traded the Tennessee Titans two first round picks, two second round picks and two third round picks for the rights to draft Cal quarterback Jared Goff number one overall. The Rams also got back a fourth and a sixth-round pick in the massive trade. Talk about a haul!

Next: Detroit Lions - The Best 30 Draft Picks in Franchise History

If the Detroit Lions were unlucky enough to earn the top pick in the 2018 NFL Draft due to a tremendous fall this season, they may be lucky enough to turn that top selection into multiple high picks that would set them up for immediate returns in the win/loss column…and hopefully postseason success.

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