According to Ian Rapoport, the Detroit 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.
Lions GM Bob Quinn said back in February the team would be open to moving down.
“The higher you are up in the draft, really the sooner the conversations begin.” Quinn said. “I have not had any trade conversations with anybody as of yet. Those usually tend to start in the combine in the hallway that we kind of roll through, and we’ll see how that goes.”
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 Tagovailoa.
While Detroit was briefly discussed as an option for Tagovailoa, it appears unlikely given the win-now mandate issued by ownership to HC Matt Patricia and the team’s continued confidence in QB Matthew Stafford.
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.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
