Tua Tagovailoa’s declaration boosts value of Detroit Lions draft pick

As we near the draft season, the Detroit Lions might have just gained some value in the 2020 NFL Draft thanks to Tua Tagovailoa’s declaration.

The Detroit Lions are in full NFL Draft mode. Well, maybe they still need to hire a few coaches, but they will undoubtedly notice the value of their draft pick increasing this week. Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has just declared for the draft and fans in the Motor City that would like to see the team to trade down in April’s draft are cheering.

With more star power at the top of the draft and the Lions owning the third overall pick means more teams will be interested in moving up to grab one of the top players they covet. The question is, do the Lions want one of these coveted players?

That’s where things get interesting, in a good way, for the Detroit Lions. Two players with big value at the top of the draft are now quarterbacks. Tua and LSU’s Joe Burrow. Some might even make an argument for a third quarterback in Oregon’s Justin Herbert.

This is a big deal because we’re talking about quarterbacks. It’s the most important position on the football field. They call the plays and touch the ball on nearly every offensive play. Teams will reach for a quarterback that they feel can lead their team for the next decade. And, unfortunately, there are always a handful of teams in the position of needing a quarterback.

Now, if the Lions do indeed receive an offer they can’t refuse, how far down do they drop? And what do they miss out on because of it? This is where things get tricky. If the impact player they feel they need is sitting right in front of them, is it really worth it to pass up on a player like Auburn’s defensive tackle Derrick Brown or Ohio State’s cornerback Jeffrey Okudah?

We’re talking about passing on major pieces this team could use immediately for the chance to select a few more players at other positions of need. Will those players be as good as the top tier guys the Lions pass up in order get more selections? That will always remain to be seen.

One thing they can’t count on would be future picks. After all, someone outside the organization thinks they are close to turning things around. If the offer to move up includes picks in the first round of the 2021 draft, the Detroit Lions should simply say no and thank you.

Remember, this team’s general manager and head coach are on the hot seat. They need to win now, not in 2021. They simply can’t afford to trade top tier talent for future top tier talent.

What would you rather see happen now that Tua’s declaration has increased the value of the Detroit Lions third overall draft pick – stand pat and take the best player available or trade down for more picks? Unfortunately, this can be debated for roughly four more months. After free agency, your preference may change. But for now, it’s something to ponder.