Detroit Lions biggest question to answer is about Matthew Stafford

All the right moves

But if Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia truly believe that Matthew is healthy and they expect his back not to be an issue, then it does open up possibilities in the draft which could really help the Lions.

If Matthew is good to go, then Bob Quinn needs to get a lucrative haul for the number three pick to acquire assets that will help turn around this moribund franchise.

The Miami Dolphins are considered by most to be all-in on Tagovailoa and the 5th, 18th, and 26th picks would all be very helpful to the Lions cause. One way or another the Lions need to keep stoking the flames that they are interested in Tagovailoa then allow the bidding to begin, this will help them maximize their return for the third pick. Then they have to get the most out of their return.

This puts them in the position to select Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown or Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah at pick number five if they want which wouldn’t be a bad start. Then Quinn can start reaping the benefits of what they learned at the Senior Bowl.

While the Senior Bowl allows everyone to see the players in game action, the real benefit of the week is being able to work with the players in practice. In all honesty, the game is almost an afterthought any more.

The Lions might be able to find a gem of an edge-rusher, which they desperately need, in the form of Terrell Lewis of Alabama or maybe Jason Strowbridge from North Carolina. There could also be value at defensive tackle like Javon Kinlaw of South Carolina or Neville Gallimore from Oklahoma.

While help at linebacker and the secondary are needed, turning the defense around will start up front and the Lions need to be prepared to find a few diamonds in the rough.

On offense a player who could intrigue the Lions is Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones who impressed everyone and seemed to dominate all the one-on-one pass blocking drills. Receivers K.J. Hill from Ohio State, Notre Dames Chase Claypool, Denzel Mims of Baylor or Antonio Gandy-Golden from Liberty all turned heads and represent a deep pool of receivers.

Getting any of these players we have heard about from reports out of Mobile could really help, but for the Lions to be successful, they need to also reel in some of the hidden gems that aren’t getting the press these others are.

The Detroit Lions have regressed under Matt Patricia from a team capable of reaching the playoffs before his arrival to a re-building cellar dweller.

So the real question is; can Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia make all the right moves to net enough quality players for a run back at the playoffs?

Only they truly know what the real prognosis is for Matthew Stafford’s back and what their game plan is after a week inside practice at the Senior Bowl. Shrewd moves in free agency followed by wise drafting could set the Lions up for a big turnaround.

But if they misread their tea-leaves like last offseason and bungle potential draft opportunities, then we will all be in for another long season next year.