Detroit Lions: The best athlete isn’t always the best player

Now that we’ve sifted through the pomp and circumstance of the NFL Combine, let’s finish up with the task at hand. Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia are spearheading the Lions efforts to add much-needed pieces to the Lions roster with the goal of taking their first steps towards being contenders next season.

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It’s a daunting task since no Lions regime has been truly successful since 1957. Sure we can say that the 1991 Lions were one game away from the Super Bowl, but since they were never able to sustain that success, not to mention losing in the NFC title game by 31 points, it’s hard to give them any real credibility as a true contender.

When Quin and Patricia did their obligated duty of meeting the press this week in Indianapolis, they did seemingly shed some light on what direction they may go in free agency and the draft. Despite Quinn’s declaration at the town hall meeting for ticket holders earlier this month, I’m still not buying into the idea that a quarterback is a possibility. Yet the idea of the Lions taking a tight end does seem realistic.

The tight end position is deep enough in the draft that the Lions could wait until the second round to select one, but when both Quinn and Patricia answered questions about the possibilities of a tight end they did nothing but make a resounding case for selecting one. This could certainly be a smokescreen, but it is also well within the realms of possibility.

I still think that if they are planning on selecting a tight end they would prefer to trade down for the sake of value, but if they want to ensure they get T.J. Hockenson, who is the most well rounded tight end in the draft, using the eighth pick would do the trick.

However, if they do go tight end that means they will need to have filled the edge-rusher and cornerback positions in free agency. That’s something to keep an eye on.

The other thing to keep an eye on are the receivers, defensive backs, and linemen this weekend. These are positions that will almost certainly be of great interest to the Lions brass. Even if they get the edge-rusher and cornerback they desire in free agency, it wouldn’t be out of the question for them to double-down in the draft to ensure more talent and competition.

Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia have already done plenty of work this week and will continue to keep an eye open for gems that can improve their roster during the combine workouts. If they can find the best players available in the draft and not be misled by feats of athleticism alone, then the possibility of matching last years draft success is very realistic. Which is what every Lions fans is hoping for.