The Detroit Lions must draft Tua Tagovailoa if healthy

BE OPEN TO ANYTHING

For Quinn, he is under the mandate of winning this year or owner Martha Firestone Ford is going to fire everybody. But is that the best way to run a franchise? Mrs. Ford needs to rethink how to handle her front office. Fear is a good motivator, but it may mean missing out on the long term building that is necessary for a championship team.

The Detroit Lions need to put it out there that they are prepared to draft Tagovailoa. During every step of the draft process, they need to spend their time on Tua. They need to know everything that they can, and they certainly need to put in some face-to-face time with the young quarterback.

And, by the way, it can’t hurt to let the rest of the league know that everything is on the table. If you want legitimate trade offers for the pick, don’t close yourself off from drafting a quarterback.

Just the idea that the Lions are interested in Tua will drive other teams mad. They won’t be able to fathom the Lions going after the best player – it goes against everything they normally do.

Quinn could change the complexion of this organization by drafting Tagovailoa. And it won’t help in 2020 – not even in the slightest. But it could make this team special going forward. And the Lions need to consider the opportunity that has been put in front of them.

With a healthy Stafford in 2020, this team is probably going to win between seven and ten games – on the higher end, if Quinn can acquire the right pieces. But when Tua is healthy, he can extend plays and make throws that will make him a dangerous weapon on the field. The Detroit Lions need that kind of weapon.

Being in the middle is what the Lions do best. A player like Tua could make Detroit a class organization. And it could be the first real step towards winning a Super Bowl.

But these are the concerns of general managers that are thinking long term. This isn’t about fan service or making ownership feel good. This is about chasing down a title. You don’t skip on big talents like Tua.

Well, actually you do. When you have sixty-plus years of incompetent moves, you consider drafting a cornerback or maybe another tight end will catch your eye. But when you are really committed to winning, you go for it all.