As we approach the NFL Draft, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is pretty much a lock to be a top-five pick. The Lions, who hold picks Nos. 6 and 18, are bringing him in for a visit this week, according to the NFL Network.
Which begs the question: Why?
"I’m legitimately, in a non-critical way asking, 'OK, what are they doing here?" Doug Karsch said Wednesday. "It doesn’t feel possible that C.J. Stroud would be on the board at 6. ... Are they seriously considering moving up for C.J. Stroud?"
"I imagine this," said Gator. "I think C.J. Stroud comes to town, he’s going to blow you away with an interview. I think you watch his tape, he’s going to blow you away with his ability. You watch him throw at Allen Park, he’s going to blow you away and you can’t help but come away going, 'I really like this guy.'"
The Lions are also hosting Alabama defensive end Will Anderson on a pre-draft visit, another player who's a longshot to be on the board at No. 6. This comes amid reports that the Cardinals are taking trade calls on the No. 3 pick and that they might want to pull the trigger soon.
"Bringing in Will Anderson and C.J. Stroud, I think this is all a reaction to Arizona saying six teams have contacted them (about the No. 3 pick)," said Karsch. "And they don’t want to wait until draft night to make the trade. They want to do it now. And the Lions say, OK, we want Will Anderson, but let’s do our homework on C.J. Stroud and if we love them both, that opens up the door for us making that trade."
Karsch added, "That’s what they might be doing. I guess the question is, should they? Should they be considering a trade up for C.J. Stroud? Because I’m going to guess the draft capital you have to give up would hurt them a little bit. It’s going to be an expensive price. And is it worth giving up draft capital now for a quarterback of the future who probably isn’t going to play next year?"
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