Detroit Lions Mailing Case: Creating Draft Trading Scenarios

It’s a slow week in Detroit Lions news, so it’s a good time to dust off the old mailbag. As expected, you all had a bunch of questions about the draft and quarterbacks and trade, trade, trade.

I will try to make these written mailbags more general, so if you have any questions that you would like answered, you can use us on Twitter using the hashtag #AskPOD.

Let’s continue with this week’s issue:

Since the Detroit Lions are a team that is rebuilding with so many needs, it only makes sense that they move up in this draft for a quarter they are absolutely in love with. They will have their choice of an elite passer at 7, so you no longer have to spend their choice on their favorite.

Do I then think that the Lions can become aggressive and exchange a quarter? It’s possible, but I find it unlikely. Of course, we’ve seen the Los Angeles rams go up and get Jared Goff in the 2017 draft – with Brad Holmes’ approval as well – so it’s not a matter of philosophy. However, I still go back to this quote from Dan Campbell in January:

What I do think is that we need to build this team first. Let’s first build the core and foundation of this team and get roots in the ground. And once you get the roots in the ground and let it grow a little, we’ll get the right guy at the helm.

The Lions do not have that solid core yet, so I’m not sure if the timing is right to set a quarterback. That is, unless someone falls into their lap at 7 p.m.

So let’s talk about this scenario. Personally, I think the Lions should have a quarter at seven times. If the Panthers get Sam Darnold, let’s say the Lions cannot find a valuable exchange option with Trey Lance and Justin Fields.

In my opinion, Trey Lance is the biggest risk among the top quarterbacks in this class. Not only are you talking about a player with a year of college play, but that year was at low competition. That being said, he was also one of the most exciting players to watch nationwide in 2019, and his physical skills are exactly what they should be for an NFL career. The Lions fit Lance well, allowing them to sit and develop for a few years.

But I’m still going with Justin Fields here. I’m a risk averse person, and there’s just more proven bond out there. He is a starter of two years who has risen to great heights on big stages. He also has all the physical tools, and I think he will also benefit from a year of development on the bench under Anthony Lynn and Mark Brunell.

Boy, these questions flow nicely together.

We did not hear directly from Mark Brunell as we were appointed as the Lions’ full-back coach. Head coaches usually appear to the media only once a month during the season and almost never during the off-season. Under the new appointments, the Lions offered all three of the coordinators and Duce Staley – not because he’s the fullback coach, but because he’s the assistant coach.

However, Brunell spoke to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com, and although he could not address Goff directly – the trade was unofficial at the time – he said:

‘I can certainly identify with Jared Goff, or whoever our starter is, but I can also identify with the child who is just new to the building, who is young and no one really expects to make even a team . I was all that man too. I think players can respect that. I hope they can at least. ”

I do not know about Dan Campbell, but I believe Brad Holmes, the man who is partly responsible for the Rams that set up Goff, when he speaks glowingly of Goff.

The truth is that the Lions have invested a lot of capital in Jared Goff. They will pay his $ 5.65 million salary this year, and the restructuring guarantees that he will compensate at least another $ 20 million for the capital distribution over the years the Lions decide to keep him.

They do not have to tackle the investment. There were other trading partners available for Matthew Stafford, and they just happened to grab the man who recruited the new Lions GM hard. I strongly doubt it is coincidental.

Do they believe Goff is their long-term option? They left enough uncertainty in their words to indicate that this is a conclusion they have not yet made. But I believe this franchise is eager to see what Goff has on the field.

Let’s consult the maps first. According to the Jimmy Johnson trading table, a 300-point fee is required to move from Pick 7 (1500 points) to Pick 12 (1200). This is the equivalent of a late choice in the second round. So, absolutely yes. Get that extra choice.

If you were to ask if the Lions had the third choice, I would have accepted the decline, then the answer is a little trickier. Although the trading chart has it as an even trade, you would be talking about passing a top level. I still think my answer would be yes, because I really believe that this team should have just as many choices at the moment, but I will talk about that for a long time.

Again, consult the maps, here is the outline:

• 7 to 15 (New England) = 450 points difference, or the Patriots’ second round (440 points)
• 7 to 19 (Washington) = 625 points difference, or a late pick in the first round. Maybe Washington’s first round in 2022

There are other things to consider here. If it’s for a quarter, you might be able to convince the teams to give up a little more. However, these teams also call the Panthers at eight, so Detroit must either convince these teams to swap the extra spot, or give it a little discount.

Getting Goff – or any quarterback, really – a top offensive line should be a primary goal for the Lions. However, to make Goff a success in Year 1, not be the team’s priority in the draft. This team has to think for years.

If the real outlook is at seven (see: Penei Sewell), it should be in the mix. However, I do not think the Lions need to force an offensive attack in Day 1 or Day 2 of the draft. They can get along with Tyrell Crosby in year 1 if they have to do it right. But yes, there should be a long-term plan for the entire right side of the line.

The worst case scenario is that they set up the wrong guys. I’m sorry to make it so simple, but it is. The truth is that the Lions will have a go at talented players who can make an immediate impact with each of their first picks, maybe even beyond that.

No matter how you play out the first six picks in the draft, the Lions need to be in a good position at seven. My least favorite realistic outcome would probably look like this:

1. Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence
2. Jets: QB Zach Wilson

3. 49ers: QB Trey Lance

4. Falcons: TE Kyle Pitts
5. Bengal: OT Sewell

6. Dolphins: WR Ja’Marr Chase

Suppose the Lions are sitting there with whoever QB4 and QB5 are (Mac Jones and Justin Fields in this example). They can not find a downward partner and do not love any man on their own.

In this ‘worst case’, the Lions could still get a game changer like Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith. I’m cool with that.

I agree that this is definitely a greater need, especially for the long term. However, I think the reason why not much has been said about setting up a domestic defender is because it just is not an excellent draft class for it. Therefore, many people believed that the Michael Brockers trade was even smarter than it seemed at first glance.

Still, if you’re hoping the Lions land a DT in this year’s draft, Milton Williams of La Tech and Daviyon Nixon of Iowa are upside down the potential Day 2 options with a pass rate.

Given my little Warzone experience – and all this awful – I have to go with Kerryon Johnson. He’s a serious player, and he seems to enjoy Warzone specifically a lot. If there is anyone who can help me build a load-out – which I absolutely do without a doubt – then he is the man to call.