Bob Quinn must extend Kenny Golladay, learn from his mistakes
Quinn’s offseason and legacy are at stake
How does this affect the rest of the offseason? For starters, with the NFL Draft looking like it will go on as scheduled later this month, what the Detroit Lions do with their nine draft picks will be greatly affected by their decision about Golladay.
He’s under contract for this season and carries a $2.3 million dollar cap hit but if he isn’t coming back, you don’t just need to find a number two receiver to replace Marvin Jones, you would also have to replace your WR1 and that will cost some high draft capital, even in a stacked draft like this one.
Instead of targeting a player in the third or fourth round, like a Donovan Peoples-Jones or Devin Duvernay to complement Golladay, you first have to draft a player like Jerry Jeudy, Ceedee Lamb, or Henry Ruggs III; that probably means a first-round pick to land one of them.
Perhaps you could hope to land your number two next year in free agency but getting that number one guy is likely going to take some draft capital, even though Golladay was a third-round selection out of a smaller school, Northern Illinois. At the time, the Detroit Lions had Tate and Jones, and some depth with T.J. Jones as the third option, though. That was a place of strength and not where the Detroit Lions find themselves currently.
It is unlikely that Quinn has soured on the best selection he has made as a general manager this quickly, though. If Quinn wants a legacy, he needs to showcase players that he drafted and Golladay is his crown jewel to this point. Quinn has been routinely chided for his inability to find explosive, high-ceiling players whose potential showed up in the Motor City.
dark. Next. The Detroit Lions best draft picks by round since 2009
That list has one name on it, Kenny Golladay. While there are ample opportunities in the upcoming draft to add to the successes list, Quinn’s biggest mission should be making sure that he doesn’t let his 26-year-old playmaker walk away. Bob, get on the phone and tell your receiver how much you appreciate him. Better yet, show him by pulling out your checkbook.