Detroit Lions: Drawing conclusions from Bob Quinn’s first four drafts

Entering his fifth draft as the general manager of the Detroit Lions, we try to draw some conclusions based on Bob Quinn’s previous choices.

Since becoming the general manager back in 2016, it can be argued that the Detroit Lions have only gotten worse since the arrival of Bob Quinn.

Posting a 9-7 record with a playoff berth in his first season, the Lions followed that year up with another 9-7 performance, this time without a postseason appearance. And after hiring Matt Patricia as head coach in early 2018, Detroit has posted disappointing 6-10 and 3-12-1 records since.

Yet, Quinn has had his successes. Especially when it comes to the NFL draft. Quinn is responsible for drafting both Pro Bowl wide receiver Kenny Golladay and All-Pro special teams returner Jamal Agnew in 2017. But he also picked duds in second-round cornerback Teez Tabor and tight end Michael Roberts that very same year.

Still, the Lions appear to have a roster stocked full of talent. And Quinn is responsible for acquiring most of it. Entering into 2020, this current iteration of the team should the best representation of Quinn’s overall vision.

While the jury is out on many of Quinn’s selections, we know the early returns haven’t been able to return the Lions to playoff relevance. Now, he prepares to enter his fifth NFL draft at the helm for Detroit.

Admittedly, no one really knows what Quinn and company will do when their number is called. But perhaps we can glean some insight by looking at his past draft decisions to try to predict his future ones.

Therefore, I present four conclusions that we can perhaps draw from reviewing Quinn’s draft choices over his first four seasons as the general manager of the Lions.