Did Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn tip his hand?

One of the interesting topics to me was how he seemed to downplay many defensive players in the draft when he mentioned how they don’t seem to fit the blueprint of the preferred mold. This wasn’t some absolute expression of disdain because those issues haven’t stopped teams in the past and I would guess Bob Quinn wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on selecting one he really liked.

But it did come off as trying to be very casual about the subject. Almost too casual like there is a nugget that he doesn’t want other teams to pay attention to. Although not necessarily an omen to pick number eight. Perhaps foreshadowing to the second or third round.

Secondly, the bulk of the press conference was addressing offensive personnel, especially linemen. If there is anything we do know about Quinn come draft day, it’s that he does like linemen. Both offensive and defensive.

The Lions do clearly have a hole at right guard to fill, but it’s almost too easy to believe that much chatter about linemen is a dead giveaway. We also have to realize that much of his press conference was answering questions and the bulk of them centered on offense. Therefore you can’t read too much into what he had to say about offensive linemen or tight ends or receivers.

It would also probably be a mistake to read too much into how he abruptly ended the press conference after the Matthew Stafford question. He clearly wanted to keep Matthew’s wishes about privacy and for the time being, Stafford is his quarterback.

Given the opportunity to get more talent at the position, I’m sure Quinn would jump at it and I do believe there’s a very good possibility he selects one in the draft higher than many people think. But no one should expect a third-round pick lower to challenge Matthew for the starting job. At least not yet.

So all of this leads us back to the original question; did Bob Quinn tip his hand? There will be some who think he did and others who believe he didn’t. The true answer is that we won’t really know for sure until this Thursday.

But this much I will take away from Bob Quinn’s comments, I believe that he was telling the truth about not trading up. Draft picks are like gold to Quinn and the possibility of trading down, should the particular player he and Matt Patricia want no longer be on the board, and acquiring additional picks would be a strong possibility.

Each year the NFL draft provides us with twists and turns. Bob Quinn and his tight-lipped approach make it difficult to predict what he will do, but if it allows the Lions to get their man and that player becomes part of the championship team we’ve all dreamed about, then everyone in Detroit wins.