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The Detroit Lions must draft a quarterback in 2019 if …

By James F. Puzzuoli

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Quarterback Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State works out during day three of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Quarterback Dwayne Haskins of Ohio State works out during day three of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

THE UNNEEDED GUY

The idea that this Detroit Lions franchise is not in need at the quarterback position is pretty ludicrous. When Stafford is right – and he wasn’t last year – they have a great starter. But they have no depth behind Stafford. Plus, four years is not that long, and the best time to draft a quarterback is when you don’t need one.

Even more than that, the best time to develop a young quarterback is when you have someone that they can sit behind. That is the situation here in Detroit – unless Stafford looks terrible again in 2019.

Last Thursday, Matt Dery’s outstanding podcast “Locked on Lions” interviewed Justin Rogers of the Detroit News. In Rogers’ opinion, the Detroit Lions will not draft a quarterback with their first pick in the draft because there isn’t a need (02-28-19):

"“They’re not gonna go quarterback this year. I think next year, if, you know, regardless of what happens, unless the Lions go out and win the division and win a playoff game out of the blue – then the conversation changes. But if Stafford has a repeat season this year that he did last year – or the team goes 8 and 8 or anything less – then you’re looking at a really legitimate chance that the Lions start considering a future without Matthew Stafford. Starting next year.”"

Right off the bat, as Rogers stated, an “out of the blue” win of the division and a playoff game seems very unlikely. Free agency is about to hit next week (officially on March 13), and the draft follows in April. With some smart moves by general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia this team might turn things around in 2019.

But the reality is the Lions are at the beginning of a very big overhaul. Last season, too many players were not prepared to embrace a new culture, and that problem seems to stem from ownership. So, if there is an opportunity to bring in a talented player at quarterback – who would be in the perfect situation to learn for a year or two – what’s to stop it from happening?

The very slim chance that this team makes a run in 2019 cannot be the reason why the Lions don’t draft a quarterback. They do not look ready to make some big leap in just one year. But the fact remains: shouldn’t you always be trying to upgrade the quarterback position?

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