Lions shouldn’t rule out drafting Tua Tagovailoa
By John Buhler
Even though they are expected to play it safe, the Detroit Lions shouldn’t rule out using the No. 3 overall pick on Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Put the native Hawaiian in Honolulu blue, Detroit!
The Detroit Lions have a terrific opportunity to snag Tua Tagovailoa.
After cratering in the final three months of the regular season, Detroit has the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft. Interestingly enough, the Lions have what many people feel is the linchpin pick of this spring’s draft. What they choose to do at third-overall changes the entire course of this draft.
Expected to go first and second-overall are LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow to the Cincinnati Bengals and Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young to the Washington Redskins.
Given the Lions really like what they have at quarterback in Matthew Stafford, the consensus is they’ll play it safe at take Young’s Ohio State teammate in cornerback Jeffrey Okudah at No. 3.
Yet taking Tagovailoa makes so much sense. Detroit can trade Stafford after this season and save $14 million against the cap next year and $20 million in 2022. It can also move forward with a new era, hopefully earning a playoff win for the first time since 1991.
Unfortunately, there are two reasons the Lions likely won’t do this. For starters, Detroit likes the stability Stafford has brought to the organization since going No. 1 overall out of Georgia back in 2009. He doesn’t win playoff games, but the Lions occasionally reach the postseason with him under center. In short, he’s comforting.
Additionally, Lions head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn know they’re on the hot seat in 2020. The only reason Patricia is back this fall is because Stafford got hurt and he had to trot out there below replacement-level quarterbacks for three months. With Stafford, they know the Lions can be respectable in 2020 and still keep their jobs.
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Drafting Tagovailoa, considering his talent balanced against his injury history, would be a serious wager by the Lions. Based off their history, that’s reason enough to believe Detroit doesn’t make the gutsy choice.