Lions Reportedly Making Plans to Pick at Dolphins' No. 5 Slot
By Jerry Trotta
The hype surrounding the 2020 NFL Draft suggests that it will be must-see television of a very different variety thanks to the innovations required by the coronavirus shutdown. And the first round, which gets underway on Thursday night, is sure to provide us with a lot of movement.
In fact, football fans should expect to see the first trade transpire within the first five selections. Per Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, the Detroit Lions -- scheduled to pick at No. 3 overall -- are planning as if they already hold the Dolphins' No. 5 overall pick.
One final thing on the Dolphins-Detroit trade situation. I’ve been told tonight by person familiar with what Lions are thinking that they are making plans for having the No. 5 overall selection tomorrow night — Miami’s first scheduled pick of the draft tomorrow.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) April 23, 2020
We're 10 hours away and things are already getting spicy. A trade of this magnitude would put Miami in pole position to select its quarterback of the future. Based on the consensus buzz, that figures to be either former Alabama star Tua Tagovailoa or Oregon product Justin Herbert.
The Dolphins could likely sit tight at No. 5 and still be able to have the pick of the litter, so pulling off a deal like this tells us that GM Josh Grier is taking no chances when it comes to locking in on their QB of choice.
So long as Miami is trading up to select a quarterback and NOT an offensive lineman like certain other reports indicate, this trade isn't a terrible idea. The Fins haven't really put a foot wrong in rebuilding under Brian Flores. All told, perhaps all the hoopla is a smokescreen.
I am hearing from multiple sources Miami is looking to move up to #3. Specultion suggest it could be for OT, maybe Andrew Thomas out of Georgia. Then Jeff Okudah from Ohio State goes to Detroit at 5, and Tua Tagovailoa to Chargers. #NFLDraft
— Julie Donaldson (@JDonaldsonNBCS) April 21, 2020
As for the Lions, there's really no reason not to trade back a few picks. They'd still have an abundance of options. From an elite offensive lineman, Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah, or Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown, the world would be Detroit's oyster.