It's a weird time to be a Lions fan. They're one game out of the playoffs in the final month of the season, and they're also looking at a top-10 pick in the draft. Right now, the offseason feels like the larger focus.
If the season ended today, Detroit would pick ninth -- its third year in a row picking in the top 10. The organization has needs across the board. Is one of them at quarterback? That will be up to the new head coach and new general manager.
Asked about Matthew Stafford's future with the organization after the Lions fired Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn last month, owner Sheila Ford Hamp said, "Since I’m not the coach, I’m probably not the right person to ask that question to. So we’ll see what the new coach has to say."
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The 2021 draft is deep at quarterback, beyond Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields. North Dakota State's Trey Lance, BYU's Zach Wilson and Florida's Kyle Trask are potential first-round picks as well. Even if the Lions don't move on from Stafford this offseason, it might behoove them to draft a QB who can be groomed under his wing.
Yeah, it's time for a mock draft.
ESPN's Mel Kiper and Todd McShay put together their first mock of the season by debating each of the top-10 picks, as the draft order stands today. You can probably guess how it begins: Lawrence first overall to the Jets, Fields second overall to the Jaguars.
The next six players off the board are Oregon OT Penei Sewell, LSU WR Ja'Marr Chase, Penn State LB Micah Parsons, Alabama CB Patrick Surtain, Alabama WR Devonta Smith and Florida TE Kyle Pitts.
Which brings us to the Lions at No. 9.
Kiper suggests a "full reboot" for Detroit, starting at QB. And McShay makes the pitch for Wilson.
"He's the most underrated quarterback in the entire class, and I think he will continue to rise as we get closer to April," McShay says. "Stafford has been playing well, but he turns 33 in the offseason, and this is an opportunity for the Lions to get their next QB."
Kiper says he has Lance ranked higher at the moment, but "could see Wilson jumping him." Should the Lions opt to stick with Stafford for the future, McShay suggests a pair of pass rushers in Michigan's Kwitty Paye and Miami's Gregory Rousseau or Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle.
"Yeah, I'm down to Lance, Wilson or Waddle with this pick," says Kiper. "Lance is the upside quarterback pick -- he's going to be 20 years old when he's drafted. But he'll need time to adjust. Wilson is the hot name right now."
McShay says Wilson is the pick.
"Let's get the Lions their quarterback of the future to build around under a new coach and GM. Wilson is special."
In his third season at BYU, Wilson has completed 73 percent of his passes (fifth in the nation) for 2,964 yards (sixth) and 27 touchdowns (tied for third) versus three interceptions. He's also rushed for 246 yards and eight touchdowns. He's 'special,' indeed.
Special enough for the Lions to draft ninth overall? It's up to the next regime to decide.