The Lions, who own the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, are open to trading that selection. If GM Brad Holmes elects to keep it, however, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press does not expect Holmes to pick Liberty QB Malik Willis. Though Detroit worked closely with Willis at the Senior Bowl, and though the big-armed passer performed well at that event, the consensus still seems to be that he is not worthy of the No. 2 pick.
Theoretically, trading down from the top of the draft board could make it more likely that the Lions select Willis or a different quarterback with their first pick, but Birkett does not believe the club will draft a signal-caller with any of its first three selections (presently No. 2, No. 32, and No. 34 overall). If Detroit stays at No. 2, Birkett expects a pass rusher — either Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson or Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux — to be the choice.
Let’s round up a few more NFC North notes and rumors:
- Birkett does expect the Lions to be more active in free agency this offseason than they were last year, and he cites wide receiver and safety as the two likeliest positions to be upgraded with a notable signing. Both he and Chris Burke of The Athletic (subscription required) believe edge defender Trey Flowers looms as a potential cap casualty — Flowers’ release would add $10.5MM to the Lions’ books if he is cut prior to June 1, and $16MM if he is designated a post-June 1 cut.
- Even without removing Flowers from the roster, Holmes has roughly $25MM of cap space to work with. Because of his position (safety) and connection to the Lions‘ coaching staff, Birkett names the Saints’ Marcus Williams as a potential FA target for Holmes.
- Vikings standout Danielle Hunter will line up both at DE and OLB in new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell‘s scheme, per Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune (via Twitter). Hunter has played in just seven games over the past two years, and between that lack of availability and his lofty 2022 cap charge of $26.1MM, Arif Hasan of The Athletic (subscription required) identifies him as a release candidate. Hasan, though, says such as a move is unlikely, and given how well Hunter performed in 2021 before succumbing to a torn pec — six sacks, six tackles for loss, and 10 QB hits in his seven games — it appears the LSU product will stay in Minnesota and will get a chance to show off his versatility.
- The Bears have hired Matt Feinstein as their new director of football administration, per a team announcement. As Alex Shapiro of NBC Sports Chicago details, Feinstein worked in the league office for seven years, and he will replace Joey Laine, who served as former GM Ryan Pace‘s director of football administration and who was Pace’s lead contract negotiator and salary cap manager.
With crap at QB available to draft this year, I can see why all these top teams want to trade down….but who wants to move up? And at what price? Maybe you’ll see a swap of like few positions or so but I can’t see a team in the teens giving up a lot to move into the #2 spot.
This draft is very weak up top. It reminds me of the ‘91 draft. I could see a trade/s similar to that year, where Dallas traded the 11th and 41st picks(and 3 average players) for the #1 overall pick(Russell Maryland). If someone is really interested in a particular player, this is the type of trade I could see happening, but, certainly, no trades like the bonanza of picks last year that SF gave up to move up to pick Trey Lance.
99% chance Wills is there at #32.
Lions should take Aiden Hutchinson at #2
Pair him with Flowers and Julian/Romeo Okwara
Evan Neal probably goes 1st. Jags gotta protect Lawrence.
I would be “shocked” if Willis is there at #32. I think he has as good of odds as any QB to be the first QB off the board. With so many teams in need of QB help, teams with veterans at the end of their careers(Matt Ryan), and teams who have QB’s at the end of their contracts(Cousins, and very possible Wentz)Baxter this season, QB’s will get pushed up the board higher than their abilities may imply. There will be at least 3QB’s taken in the first round, imop, before #32, and Willis will be one of them. I can’t see him getting past Pittsburgh, and I, personally, do not think he makes it anywhere close to their pick at 19.
With so many QBs “available”- Rodgers Wilson Watson Garapollo Wentz a lot of suitors might sit out this draft and not invest a high draft pick, unless the fall, in prospects where everyone seems to question if theyre “franchise QBs”.
Pitt might go oline. Tons of quality oline prospects to invest in. Especially if someone like Tyler Linderbaum falls to them. You also have Cross Ekownu Penning at tackle.
I personally see Pickett Coral and Howell going before Wills.
Even if all those QB’s got traded, which I will be surprised if more than 2, maybe 3, get traded, Indy(Wentz) and Seattle(Wilson) will still need to find replacements for the future. Plus you have Minnesota and Atlanta in that boat already. I am not enamored with any of the QB’s in this draft, and, personally, would be highly concerned to take any in the 1st rd, but I still believe at least two get drafted, and Willis does not make it past Pittsburgh. Carolina, Washington, Denver, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, TB, Detroit, possible the Giants, etc. need QB’s now or very soon. Just my opinion.
I actually would put the over/under as 3 1/2 for QB’s drafted in the 1st rd. Teams tend to trade up into the back of the 1st rd for a QB, so they get that 5th year of potential control.
Is Willis an Andre Ware #2??
I, personally, liked Ware a lot better when he came out of college than Willis. Nevertheless, if you don’t have a good QB in the NFL now, you are basically a non contender playing out the string, so players like Willis will be pushed up the draft board.
Assuming the current draft order with no trades…. IMO the Lions should ONLY consider drafting one QB (Malik Willis) in this draft. If the Lions truly believe he is the next Patrick Mahomes, then select him at #2. If they pass on him & he’s gone by pick #32, then forget selecting a QB entirely in this draft. IMO, the other QB’s in this class are really not any better than Goff, so why waste a pick. Willis is a VERY dynamic/exciting player, has a cannon of an arm, and has the most upside. That being said, he’s definitely a project that needs time to develop behind Goff. Keep building the team at other positions using the “best player available” process, and target a QB in the 2023 draft class.
Seattle will not trade Wilson this year or next. He is a calculating very smart and says what you want to hear. He has made it clear he wants to be an NFL owner after his career. He has a small part of the Sounders and the Storm I believe. That is one reason he will not do what Brady did his whole career. I also think this trade talk and his agent listing teams he would go to was calculated. He got what he wanted the ear of Pete. He will be and has been involved in many decisions the team will and has made. I would not be surprised to see him in the war room during the draft. Will he finish his career in Seattle it is a toss up. I could see Pete being done after this season. Then if Wilson gets a big voice in the new coach and Vulcan (Jody Allen) still own the team he will stay. I could see him being here as long as Jody is the owner. She is one of his biggest fans. She will do whatever it takes to keep him.
Flowers and Vaitai should both be cut.
If the Lions opt away from QB this year, They could likely be in a position to pair their 1st and the 1st from LA and move as high as top 5 pick, There are many holes to fill.