The Detroit Lions are just one day away from the 2020 NFL Draft. In my strong-analytical, yet comedic fashion, it’s necessary to reach out and help answer the questions of a few faithful Detroit fans in this week’s Detroit Lions pre-draft mailbag. Over the past week, I’ve touched base on the many possibilities available to general manager Bob Quinn. At his disposal, the Last Word on Pro Football staff and myself have offered countless write-ups to assist him through the draft process that includes a Lions Mock Draft, Day 2 strategy to find a running back, and a cautionary argument against acquiring an overrated runner that is rumored to be on the team’s radar. Now, it’s time to indulge in what the fans have on their minds for a change.
Detroit Lions 2020 Pre-Draft Mailbag
There is so much talk about moving back and trading, but are the Lions even discussing moving up to number two in order to guarantee (Chase) Young? Is that even a possibility?
-Rick C. – Utica, MI
Crazier things have happened in the NFL Draft. After all, the event is a crapshoot. It’s a damn shame it’s not being held in Las Vegas this year because I believe the GMs league-wide may have taken on that “gambler” persona. With that being said, there hasn’t been any reported discussion about Detroit moving up because the franchise is focused on acquiring a bevy of talent to help the team in their ownership mandated push for the playoffs this season. In that scenario, Quinn and Matt Patricia would be forced to leverage a bundle of draft picks to acquire Young, which leaves voids that may otherwise be filled. His talent is undeniable, and acquiring the Ohio State edge defender would be welcomed with open arms. But at this point seems to be more of a fantasy than an actual likelihood.
What would happen if the Cincinnati Bengals did decide to draft Chase Young?
-Steve “Stretch” G. – Smiths Creek, MI
Panic. Irrational decision-making and utter chaos would ensue. This shocking decision by the Bengals would throw a monkey wrench into every franchise’s draft board, thus creating a chain reaction where team needs go unfilled in the first round, as GMs are forced to make a decision between “their guy” or the best prospect available. In this scenario, the presumed “top” quarterbacks available would begin to slide and make each team think twice before opting to forgo the temptation of stumbling on a future franchise quarterback. Washington would have the opportunity to return the draft to normalcy by selecting Joe Burrow but could create mayhem by sticking with a defensive pick since they already have Dwayne Haskins as their presumed franchise guy.
When was the last time they (Lions) made good choices in the NFL Draft? Given their history, why should this year’s draft be any different?
-Brandon M – Port Huron, MI
Since our inception into Detroit Lions fandom, we’ve been given little-to-no-reason for optimism. For years, it seems that fan loyalty to this morbid franchise has been the equivalent of a peasant living a life of servitude in middle-age England. Still, there is a small flame that continues to flicker towards the end of the tunnel. For the Lions faithful, the end of the tunnel is symbolic of a Wild Card berth. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while, and in this case, there’s always the opportunity to stumble across a player like Barry Sanders, Jason Hanson, Cory Schlesinger, Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Ndamukong Suh, Darius Slay, and Kenny Golladay in the annual NFL Draft.
Why in the hell is Quinn allowed to still make draft picks? His best draft choice has been Kenny Golladay, and he’s a second-tier receiver.
-Douglas R. – Elkhart, IN
It’s easy to sense your frustration through this text, Doug. It’s important that I stress the ideology of support for your Detroit Lions. Like so many of your peers, the Fords and this team have let you down so many times, With each new season, as fans, we are given a fresh start with hopes that this season may be different than the last. Instead, what we receive are the same dreadful performances from the same ‘ole Lions. In the draft, Quinn has been mediocre at best and that is a stretch. This will be his fifth draft as Lions GM, and his decisions in the early rounds have been met with little fanfare because a majority of the picks have been utilized to build depth in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The game is won and lost at the line of scrimmage, just ask the Cleveland and Cincinnati teams from last year. If Quinn can’t solidify those positional voids this season, you won’t have to worry about him conducting any more drafts because Martha will be handing him walking papers.
Do you think Head Coach Matt Patricia survives another bad season?
-Jerome K. – Charleston, WV
Please refer to the question above. Both Quinn and the head coach are on a short leash. It would be interesting to see what the odds are for a prop bet in Vegas, that Patricia will be removed from his post and return to New England in 2021 as a Co-Defensive Coordinator on Bill Belichick’s staff. There he will play second fiddle to the longtime Patriots coach’s son, Steve. The Lions franchise is cursed, and history suggests the team will be hopping on the NFL coaching carousel next December. In layman’s terms, the odds of Patricia remaining the team’s coach after this season aren’t in his favor.
What are your thoughts on Matt Breida? Do you think a free agent running back is a bandaid to Detroit’s problems?
-Ryan “Moose” S. – Howell, MI
Breida is a low-risk/high-reward player that can get lost in the shuffle of San Francisco’s deep stable of backs that all seem to do well in Kyle Shannahan’s scheme. His track record in the NFL and the college ranks suggest that he is a playmaker, and just might be the back Detroit needs. His all-around game is impressive. Pairing that evaluation with his team-friendly deal, and you have a hidden gem with the potential to become a cult-hero in Motown for years to come. If not for his head-scratching, subpar senior season at Georgia Southern, Breida’s resume and blazing 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash might have landed him as a first-round or early day two pick back in 2017. Instead, he went undrafted and is now 25-years-old with low mileage on his tires. Picking up this back would be the equivalent of coming across an ASA Easton Synergy OG, brand new in the wrapper for $100.
If Detroit happens to trade for Leonard Fournette, what would you be willing to give up to get him?
-“Big” Jim T. – Port Huron, MI
Let’s be clear about something. I wouldn’t give up a free Jet’s Bread on a Buy One Large, Get Your Choice of Bread promotion in the middle of the sweltering summer for Fournette. In my opinion, he is overrated and has the potential to financially cripple the Lions if he gets hot for one season. He’s like a Corvette that’s hiding a four-cylinder engine under the hood. If I’m Quinn, and you’re Martha Ford telling me there’s no choice but to acquire Fournette, then I guess I’d offer a seventh-round pick and a wet fart for this guy. He is poison to my salary cap and my running back corps that already has trouble staying healthy. His physique says Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, but his health record suggests the back is in serious need of hospice-care because his career is already on life support. The Jags have been shopping him for a month and haven’t found any takers. The smart money says that if I’m the Lions, Fournette can take a hike because there are better deals on day two of the draft. Let’s go shopping!
*Weekly Detroit Lions Mailbag questions can be submitted via Twitter @MichaeScottPSM
