Fansided

2020 NFL Draft: 5 players Lions could take in Round 1

By Rucker Haringey

DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Matt Patricia of the Detroit Lions works the sidelines against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Matt Patricia of the Detroit Lions works the sidelines against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 09: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws a pass during the second half against the LSU Tigers in the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 09: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws a pass during the second half against the LSU Tigers in the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

3. Tua Tagovailoa

If the Lions weren’t a franchise obsessed with winning now, selecting a quarterback to take over for Matthew Stafford would likely be the team’s top priority. Even if they are determined to go with Stafford as their starter again in 2020, they could be tempted to draft a quarterback with Tagovailoa’s upside.

Making this sort of pick would require the front office to prioritize the long-term health of the franchise over winning the maximum number of games next season. It’s unlikely that Tagovailoa is going to be better than Stafford next season. That’s not a shot at the former Alabama star. Instead, it’s an appreciation for how good Stafford still is.

He’s not going to play like an above average starter forever though. The Lions will need to find his replacement sooner, rather than later. The franchise hopes they won’t be in a position to pick in the top five anytime soon. This could be their last chance to select a legitimate blue chip option at the game’s most important position.

Tagovailoa’s accuracy in the pocket should really appeal to the decision makers in the Motor City. Allowing him to trigger an offense that features high-level targets like Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and T.J. Hockenson could give the Lions one of the most dynamic passing attacks in the NFL. It’s unlikely that Detroit will show that kind of forward thinking, but it’s something the franchise should definitely consider.

Home/Detroit Lions