If the Detroit Lions want Chase Young, they need a strategy

RAISE QUARTERBACK VALUES

On Monday, NBC Sports writer Peter King spoke about the quarterbacks in this year’s draft on Pro Football Talk Live. Peter believes that the quarterbacks might start to creep up the draft board, as the NFL is so hungry for young and talented signal callers (01-28-20, “Hour 2”):

"“Justin Herbert, the quarterback from Oregon, had a great Senior Bowl week … Most people were thinking, okay, two quarterbacks in the top five. But now what happens if Washington, instead of automatically taking Chase Young … says, ‘we’ll take three ones for this pick’… Somebody moves up to maybe number two to get either Tua or Herbert. And then somebody moves up to take the other guy.”"

This is the scenario that the Detroit Lions want. And, yes, it would be nice if Detroit was getting a bounty of draft picks instead of Washington. But in that scenario of Tua or Herbert going number two, the Lions can simply take Young.

But for this to happen, the Lions need to show serious signs that Tua and Herbert are real candidates for their pick at number three. Instead, Quinn goes around talking up Stafford for the 2020 season.

The Detroit Lions might be concerned about the feelings of their quarterback. And while that is short-sighted in its clumsy delivery, it is also understandable. Stafford has been a good soldier, a good player, and a good representative of this franchise. He deserves the team’s respect.

So, let Stafford in on the plan, if this is just a ruse. And if a quarterback ends up being the selection, let him know that this is the business side of football. Stafford has been well paid by the organization, and he didn’t give a big discount for his services.

Matthew’s salary is a business decision for him and his family, and it should be that way. And the Lions have to explore other avenues when it comes to the quarterback position – and really any position on the field – because that is their right as well.

Stafford will probably be the quarterback this season. And if he continues the way he was playing last year, no one will be able to take the job from him. But the Detroit Lions have no back-up plan if he gets hurt again. And they have no options for when Stafford’s deal runs out – in just three short years, by the way.

Once Super Bowl LIV plays out this Sunday, the next few months are paramount to selling the rest of the league that taking a quarterback is a real possibility. It will make the Lions pick more valuable, and it will make the Washington pick more valuable. Both scenarios are good for Detroit.

This is the only way to have a shot at drafting Young. And it is the best way to be ready in case taking a quarterback is your only option.

All of the other options at number three are not good enough for that pick. It is time to stop being foolish, and have a strategy to get what you want. And, more importantly, to start winning and building a championship team.