The Lions could go in a number of directions with their No. 2 overall pick, one the rebuilding team has discussed trading. Detroit is also open to developing a quarterback behind Jared Goff. The team is wrapping up its homework on this subject.
Malik Willis finished up a visit with the team Tuesday, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets. Kenny Pickett is set to meet with Lions brass on Wednesday, the final day for top-30 visits. While it would surprise if the Lions drafted a quarterback, this prospect would make sense for a team that has time to develop one.
[RELATED: Lions Fine With Trading No. 2 Pick Before Draft]
GM Brad Holmes said the team remains confident Goff can start next season. With little expected from the upcoming version of the Lions, the concept of Willis or Pickett sitting for at least a year while Goff keeps the reins has almost certainly come up at team headquarters. But, with this QB class not on the level of those in recent years and behind the 2023 crop (as of now, at least), the Lions would be passing on the kind of instant starter Dan Campbell has said he wants with the No. 2 pick.
The Willis and Pickett meetings could also double as a last-ditch attempt to drum up trade interest in the second pick. This draft is short on surefire impact players at the top. A move down would give Detroit more ammo to address its many needs. ESPN ranks Willis as its No. 21 prospect, while NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah slots the Liberty passer 27th. Quarterback reaches occur annually, due to the positional value at play, but this would be one of the more notable climbs for a passing prospect.
Should the Lions go with a “best player available” strategy at 2, they still hold the Nos. 32 and 34 overall picks. That window would give the team another crack at quarterback, though Willis and Pickett should be considered unlikely to be available by then. Matt Corral, Desmond Ridder and Sam Howell very well could remain on the board here, however.
I think Willis is a solid prospect and could turn out to be something. At pick 2 though, the Lions would be making a huge mistake taking him there. With that first pick they need a day 1 starter that can make a impact on the roster now. Could Willis do that, possibly. I’m not holding my breath.
Forget Trevor Lawrence, 3 other QB’s went in the ten picks after him. Wilson, Lance and Fields.
All of them are better than either Willis or Pickett?
Zach Wilson and Justin Fields suck.
I’d bet Willis or Pickett will have a better career than those two.
If they’ve got him as their highest rated QB, and believe they may lose him to another team, Steelers? Washington?, I could certainly see them parting with that pick at 32 and a later pick to jump in the middle of round 1 to get him and try and develop him. Or, even use him ala Taysom Hill, as Campbell was the one who suggested that in the 1st place when he was still with the Saints. This should be an interesting draft, good talent, guys that will make rosters, but even the “top” players have warts, doesn’t seem to be a real definitive #1 player in my eyes, but LOTS of guys who would fit schemes or philosophies really well.
I kind of believed guys like Burrow, Herbert and Lawrence would be immediate stars, given their collegiate careers, competition, training and in a personal sense, what we saw on TV every weekend
Somehow, I just don’t see Willis or Pickett as guys in that category…and I saw Pickett weekly for the past couple years. That’s not to say they won’t have great careers, but they don’t seem to be at that level, or what one might call a first round type. And the other guys being discussed? Even further on down the totem pole
Ideally, I would love to see the Lions trade down for more picks and still be able to grab Willis. However, based on everything I’ve read, it sounds like they’re going with Hutchinson, or Walker if Hutch is gone.
I don’t think this is the kind of draft where there will be teams fighting to trade into the first few picks, so trading down is not likely. Using the Walter Football point value system, picks #32 and #34 add up to pick #13 if they want to jump into the middle of the first round to get a QB.
The only thing most of us have seen on Willis and Pickett is their highlight reels – while the more interesting film for determining their NFL potential is probably what they did the other 97% of the time. For instance, did they routinely force balls into coverage or fail to read an obvious coverage?
At first glance both these guys look like most of the mid-first round QB picks of the last few years, i.e., guys who aren’t a lock to be the franchise QB, either now or in the future.
These recent Interviews with QBs could create the kind of buzz needed to get trade offers. If Carolina really plans to grab a QB and they believe that Detroit will take one, maybe they offer to trade up. Maybe the 6 and next years 1st round pick for the number 2. Then the Lions are sitting at 6 and the Saints know that there is only 1 of Willis and Pickett left. So they offer their 16th and 19th picks to get to 6. The Lions come away with 3 firsts this year (because they already have the 32nd) and 3 firsts next year (when they will really need/want to draft a QB.
CAn I say I smell a (smokescreen)…I c it just as clear as day.We taking Thibodeaux @2.This is just to get teams to trade up to us… Thinking we gone draft the QB… hype Willis up a bit.Great strategy by Holmes & Co to acquire more picks…Lovin’it.Some desperate
team will come calling.If they don’t Thibs is the pick.GURANTEED!!!.
I agree with ur assessment tooth & nail.Hope the plan goes through.