Detroit Lions a safe landing spot for one of the top quarterback prospects?

Whether or when the Detroit Lions draft a quarterback this year is to be determined, but they are being regarded as a ‘safe’ landing spot for one of the top prospects at the position.

The Detroit Lions may draft a quarterback this year, and in some sense they should with an eye on the future past Jared Goff. But if they do, there’s a wide array of possibilities (trading up, trading down, etc.).

It feels more likely the Lions will take a quarterback in the third round or later this coming weekend, if they draft one. So they’ll naturally not be in the mix for any of the top-tier guys, unless they pull a surprise and a surprise can’t ever be totally ruled out.

ESPN’s Todd McShay has some fresh draft insight on what teams may do. Specific to the quarterback prospects, he had an interesting nugget related to the Lions.

"This is another franchise that perhaps surprisingly might be in the QB market, and I consider this Stroud’s parachute slot if he drops out of the top five. He’s a younger, less expensive version of Jared Goff with better physical traits, and if he’s there, you bet the Lions would take a close look. I have not heard Richardson’s name connected to Detroit, though,”"

Detroit Lions are C.J. Stroud’s safe landing spot in the draft?

Recent draft speculation have been filled with the idea C.J Stroud will fall some in the first round. He didn’t show up to take part in the Manning Passing Academy (who really cares). The Houston Texans may willingly not draft a quarterback at No. 2 overall (better for him?). He didn’t do well on a new cognitive test that’s all the rage (may or may not be something).

In their due diligence rooted in having a top-10 pick, the Lions did have a top-30 pre-draft visit with Stroud. A recent mock draft from Pro Football Focus had them trading up to No. 2 for him.

It still feels unlikely Stroud falls out of the top-five, as someone may trade up for him if he doesn’t go No. 2. But maybe the No. 6 spot is indeed the safe floor “parachute slot” for him….whether the Lions stay there to take him or not.