Detroit Lions: Can Bob Quinn pull off a blockbuster draft trade?

The Detroit Lions possess their most valuable draft pick since hiring general manager Bob Quinn in 2016. Can Quinn pull off a blockbuster trade for it?

The Detroit Lions will enter the 2020 NFL Draft with the third overall selection in the first round, which is scheduled to take place April 23 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The odds of the Lions becoming a playoff contender this upcoming season could be helped or hurt by the actions of general manager Bob Quinn in this draft.

Outside of the outside chance that Ohio State pass rusher Chase Young falls to Detroit, there is a belief the Lions are in prime position to trade down in the first round. Especially with the building number of quarterback-needy teams waiting in line behind the Motor City.

Those teams figure to include but are not limited to the Miami Dolphins, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Indianapolis Colts. Then there are those teams who might want an upgrade at the sport’s most important position or are planning for the future. Those organizations include the Carolina Panthers, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the New England Patriots, the New Orleans Saints, the Washington Redskins, the Tennessee Titans and more.

So, as you can see, there are no shortage of potential suitors for the Lions to choose from. Here’s what Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com recently wrote in an offseason predictions article posted on the site about the Lions most likely trade partner.

"“In trading with the Dolphins, who have the No. 5 pick, the Lions can potentially pick up another first-round selection, which might be able to land them DT Javon Kinlaw or DE Josh Uche — depending which pick it is. That would give Detroit two potential pieces to build its future defense around who would fill massive needs.”"

The onus is clearly on Quinn to try and get the best possible deal done, as the young executive enters his fifth (and possibly final) season in Detroit.  And the third overall pick is the most valuable draft ammunition of his tenure so far.

Quinn has been able to pull off draft day trades in the past, landing both running back Kerryon Johnson and defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand during the 2018 NFL Draft being the best examples. But both transactions were done with the New England Patriots, Quinn’s former employer.

Bob Quinn’s role in the Detroit Lions organization has never been more pivotal then entering this year’s draft. The Lions need to come away from the first round with a transcendent-level talent or a slew of draft high picks. Quinn’s ability to pull-off a blockbuster deal with the third overall selection will undoubtedly impact the upcoming season … and beyond.