The Lions would like to trade down from No. 3 before the draft begins Thursday, that much is clear. They'd also like to stay within the first six or seven picks.
While Bob Quinn said he "could see a scenario" where Detroit moves out of the first tier of players, he added, "Ideally, no. ... If you're gonna trade back to after 10 or 11, then you have to know the ramifications of that -- you're going to get a different level player.
"That has to be factored in with the compensation you're going to get back and if you feel good about losing out on one of those guys you like higher."
The guys the Lions like, by all accounts, are Ohio State CB Jeffrey Okudah, Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons and Auburn DT Derrick Brown. The latter is reportedly making a late push up Detroit's board. All three will likely be gone in the first 10 picks.
Hence Quinn's reticence to move any lower.
Signs From Bob Quinn Point Toward Lions Drafting Okudah
But what if the Lions get the proverbial offer they can't refuse? What if Miami, one of their rumored trade partners, hands over two of its first-round picks plus its first second-rounder? That would give Detroit four picks in the top 40.
The trade was proposed by Good Morning Football's Peter Schrager. Here's the catch: the Lions wouldn't get the fifth overall pick from the Dolphins. They'd get Miami's next two first-rounders (Nos. 18 & 26) instead, plus No. 39.
What would Quinn say then?
Lions fans...would you accept this offer for the #3 pick:Miami gives: 18th, 26th, 39th overall picksDetroit gives: 3rd overall pick@gmfb
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) April 20, 2020Okudah, Simmons and Brown will be long gone by No. 18. At this point, you might be in the draft's third tier of talent. The possibility of landing an instant-impact player is significantly lower. But are the odds evened out by the quantity of picks?
It's a worthwhile question.
It is a relevant question? Who knows. With the recent negative reports about Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins might not even be inclined to move up. And if they are, the Lions might not have the leverage to get more than a second-rounder. But the calculus changes if Miami can keep its top pick.
Then maybe the question for the Lions is which package of picks is more valuable: Nos. 5, 35 & 39 or Nos. 18, 26, 35 & 39?
It would depend on just how badly Quinn and Co. want to stay near the top of the board.
