Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn has had a good run of third-round selections in Motown. Will that trend continue with two picks in 2020?
Coming off a 3-12-1 regular-season record, the future of the Detroit Lions could be dramatically altered by the results of the 2020 NFL Draft next month. The Lions’ current front office and coaching regime were granted a reprieve for another season after two years of sinking this once playoff-caliber worthy roster into the basement of the NFC North.
Now, the Lions face an all-or-nothing scenario with owner Martha Firestone Ford publicly proclaiming it’s her expectation that Detroit will be a playoff contender in 2020. And with an announcement that might have been an effort to support the struggling duo of general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia, Ford’s statement has been construed by many as being an ultimatum.
Despite adding free agents like linebacker Jamie Collins, cornerback Desmond Trufant, defensive tackle Danny Shelton, and offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai recently to aid in the turnaround, the signings have only served to fill voids left by exiting starters. Those former players being linebacker Devon Kennard, cornerback Darius Slay, defensive tackle Damon Harrison, and offensive tackle Rick Wagner.
With free agency being pretty much a wash so far, the Lions’ upcoming draft class could make the difference between success or failure this upcoming season. Heightening the importance of this particular draft is the fact Detroit currently possesses the third overall selection in the first round, the team’s highest pick in a decade. That rare selection being defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh who was chosen second overall by the Lions in 2010.
But after trading Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles last week, Detroit obtained more draft ammunition for Quinn and company getting a third and fifth-round pick in exchange for their three-time Pro Bowl corner. And that’s particularly good news because of how much success the team’s fifth-year general manager has had with third-rounders.
Upon his arrival in Detroit, Quinn selected offensive lineman Graham Glasgow in the third round of his rookie draft in the Motor City in 2016. The next year, the Lions landed Pro Bowl wide receiver Kenny Golladay in that same round. Safety Tracy Walker was the third-round selection in 2018. And last year, Detroit shockingly took another safety in Will Harris in the third. That’s a solid run of picks, but can that trend continue?
It can be argued that Bob Quinn has found his most draft successes in the third round. Now, Quinn has two third-rounders (67th overall, 85th overall) to try and keep that streak of good fortune going. His future with the Detroit Lions, along with that of his third-year head coach, could depend on it.