Detroit Lions need to keep their poker face to the last minute

Bob Quinn has to be smart and opportunistic

Let’s be honest, the Holy Grail for Lions fans in the draft is Chase Young. He is considered a ‘generational player’ by those who spend their lives evaluating talent. So when I use the term ‘generational’ to describe Young, that is because he is considered far and away the best player in the draft and the best edge rusher in the last couple of decades to enter the draft.

That being said, does Young meet a need for the Lions? Absolutely. Detroit’s greatest need is easily an edge-rusher and the addition of Young would make a huge difference.

Now while we’re being honest, the chances of Young falling past Washington is remote. Many fans just believe with their hearts that it has to happen because of how bad the Lions need Young. It’s not going to happen from wishing.

The Redskins hired former Carolina coach Ron Rivera to guide them back to the playoffs. Rivera played linebacker in the NFL, became a defensive coach after his retirement and even when he ascended to the head coaching job at Carolina, his mantra was defense wins championships.

With all of that at work, the chances of Washington not selecting Young, who also happens to be a Washington, D.C. kid, is really remote.

Now all that being said, there is a chance that Young could slide to the number three pick, it’s just not a very big chance. The Dolphins or Chargers can trade with Detroit for less than what it would cost to make a deal with Washington since it would most likely take a king’s ransom to get the number two pick, and if the Redskins stay put they will very likely select Young.

However, even though the chances are slim that Young will be there when the Lions are on the clock, they cannot trade back before they are actually on the clock just in case.

Being opportunistic means making sure Young is gone before they make any moves. At that point, unless Tua Tagovailoa is their target, then they can trade back with either the Dolphins or Chargers and still get an impact player who fits a need.

The truth is that if Young is gone and Tagovailoa isn’t their choice, then Bob Quinn needs to maximize the third pick by trading down to acquire additional selections. They will more than likely still be able to get Okudah, who seems to be the Lions’ target anyways.

Contenders are smart and maximize these moments. If Bob Quinn is going to make the Lions’ contenders, he’ll need to have a good poker face while being patient and opportunistic in order to turn Detroit’s top pick into a winning hand.