Lions GM Bob Quinn Says He’s Open To Trading No. 3 Pick

Lions GM Bob Quinn told reporters on Friday that if there’s a trade at No. 3 overall, he’ll probably have that deal done by Thursday afternoon.

“I’ve had a few of those conversations over the last week or so. Had a few of those conversations, honestly, as far back as the combine,” Quinn said, via ESPN.com. “And then there will be more substantive talks next week if people are interested.

“I think the way, the world we’re living in, with this being virtual, I think a lot of those things, if I’m going to do something, I think we’ll have a pretty good idea Thursday afternoon of kind of where we stand. I don’t think I’m going to be making a huge decision on trading the number three overall pick while I’m on the clock while I’m virtually talking to our head coach and our other personnel.”

Quinn said he would prefer to not trade back too far, given that it would likely cost them an opportunity to get a first-tier prospect. 

“I could see a scenario, yes, but ideally, no. Obviously, I say this all the time, but it takes two teams to do a trade,” Quinn said. “So when you’re trading back, you’re going to trade back after 10 or 11, you have to know the ramifications of that.

“You’re going to get a different level of 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 that you like higher.”

Last week, Ian Rapoport reported that the Lions have had discussions with other teams about trading back from their pick at No. 3 overall in the first round. 

Rapoport adds teams that want to move up to Detroit’s pick have been receptive to doing a deal. 

Detroit’s first-round pick has been a popular subject of speculation so far this offseason. The Bengals appear locked in on LSU QB Joe Burrow with the first overall pick, while Ohio State DE Chase Young appears likely to go to the Redskins at No. 2. 

That leaves the No. 3 overall pick as a potential key inflection point in the draft. Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa is still seen as a potential franchise starter if his recovery from a dislocated hip continues to progress well and there could be a competition between other quarterback-needy teams to trade up for him. 

The Dolphins at No. 5 and the Chargers at No. 6 are widely considered the two most likely candidates to trade up for a quarterback. 

Popular options for the Lions in mock drafts so far have included Ohio State CB Jeffrey Okudah, Auburn DT Derrick Brown and Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons. One or more could likely be available depending on how far down Detroit moves.

We’ll have more on the Lions as the news is available.