Detroit Lions: Bob Quinn, Matt Patricia should remember ‘buyer beware’

Now the fact that Quinn expressed the need for play-makers at his season-ending press conference a week ago does show good self-awareness of where the Lions are at and where they need to go.

However, to assume that the cupboard is bare would be wrong. Kerryon Johnson proved to be a play-maker during his injury-shortened rookie campaign, while Kenny Golladay is quickly becoming a star himself. Marvin Jones is also still a good asset, but the need for a tight end that contributes to the passing game as well a reliable third receiver that can open up the offense more is still very pressing.

That doesn’t include more help on the offensive line too.

On defense, cornerback Darius Slay, safety Quandre Diggs and the defensive line combo of Damon Harrison and Da’Shawn Hand are the building blocks. Linebacker Jarrad Davis is very talented but still hasn’t been able to put together the whole puzzle while Devon Kennard posted a very productive first season in the Motor City.

Yet the need for an electric edge rusher, preferably in the form of a defensive end, and a number two cornerback head the list of what Matt Patricia needs to make his defense work the way it’s supposed to.

The question now becomes; can Quinn and Patricia find those players?

A good friend of mine called me up the other day to say, ‘Wouldn’t it be awesome if the Lions traded for Antonio Brown or Von Miller?’

Now obviously big trades like those would certainly be intriguing and most likely very exciting for Lions fans, but would they be the right moves? Think about it, either move would cost the Lions valuable high draft picks or talent this team can’t afford to part with or both.

This isn’t to say that a big trade should be avoided, but Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia need to be judicious about the moves they make because it will affect this franchise for the better or the worse for years to come.

As the old Latin saying goes ‘caveat emptor’, which means buyer beware.