Detroit Lions: What have we learned from free agency?
By Robert Jones
While there may certainly be more signings to occur, I believe the Lions have set the groundwork for what they will do in the draft. We have conjectured over who the Lions will take in the draft with the number eight pick overall, but the first thing they have done is open up their options.
Like many fans, I do like and appreciate high flying exciting offense. It is actually my first love in the game. But my undying belief that defense wins championships is why if I were the Lions general manager, I would still take one of those talented edge-rushers with the number eight selection.
However, since I’m not, and even though you can never have enough talented defensive linemen, I believe the Lions will go another direction.
Let’s start with the notion that is now blowing around about the Lions wanting to trade up to select Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins. I just may be wrong, but I don’t believe it in the least bit.
If the Lions do move from the number eight slot, they will move down and acquire more picks to allow themselves more opportunities to land players that could help turn this team around. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bob Quinn does pick a quarterback in the draft, but if he does it will be in the middle rounds where there are some signal-callers that could be groomed into a possible successor to Matthew Stafford.
The reason they won’t move up is they don’t have an interest in cutting down on their picks and they want their first pick to be an early contributor.
For those reasons, I just can’t bring myself to believe in any way shape or form that they will be taking a quarterback with their first pick. Especially if they did move up for some reason and could acquire a player who could start from day one at another position.
Because of that, I believe the Lions, if they stay put at number eight, will be deciding between two players that could each fill a need and be very productive…