General manager Bob Quinn recently sat down with Detroit Lions multi-media reporter Tori Petry and discussed several topics ranging from the Stafford trade rumors to recent coaching hires.
With the 2020 NFL Combine about to kick-off, it will be a good time for Quinn and his staff to get a better feel for potential prospects. With a bevy of options with another Top-10 selection this year, Quinn is keeping an approachable outlook on all position groups.
“We’re not ruling out anything right now,” Quinn said. “I think we’re still in the evaluation mode. Which we’re probably a bit ahead of the game, from going to the Senior Bowl and having that experience with those guys down there. Way too early to narrow it down to one position or one player. I think we’re going to the Combine with an open mind.”
The Lions had the opportunity to coach the North team at this year’s Senior Bowl and got a leg up on their evaluation process with all the participating senior players. For all intents and purposes, the Lions took full advantage, allowing them the chance to spend more time with the record setting 115 underclassmen player class this year. Especially the likes of underclassmen Chase Young, Jeffery Okduah, and Derrick Brown, who all have been heavily linked to the Lions.
“All the underclassmen are brand new to us,” Quinn continued. “And obviously, there’s a lot of them this year that are going to be at the Combine. It’s really going to be our first exposure to them in an interview setting. So, a lot of things can change.”
With the Combine interview process changing this year, cutting the number of prospect interviews from 60 to 45 but increasing the time from 15 to 18 minutes, teams will be selective on whom they interview this year. With the Lions already, getting a first-hand look at the seniors, expect the majority of their interviews to be with the underclassmen through various position groups.
With all the recent quarterback speculation, I am sure people will read too much into this and take it out of context, thinking the Lions will be looking at quarterbacks to replace Stafford. The Lions are doing their due diligence like any good team should this time of year, especially with how high of a draft selection they have. The Lions are scouting not just for a draft process, but looking to gain an edge if they end up playing against the players next season.
Quinn will be bringing his entire staff down for the Combine, allowing for maximum coverage and availability to look at every prospect possible making sure they don’t shut the door on any potential prospects. It would be ill-advised for the Lions to exclude any positions at this time, especially since free agency has not begun and anything could change from now to draft day.