Detroit Lions: Highlights from Bob Quinn’s Pre-Draft Press Conference

Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn met with the media today for a press conference ahead of the 2016 NFL Draft. Here are the highlights.

The Detroit Lions have never been known as a transparent organization but the level of secrecy has only increased during Bob Quinn’s early tenure as the team’s general manager. Free agency was conducted quietly with little gamesmanship played through the media.

Similarly, little clarity to the team’s approach to the 2016 NFL Draft has been able to be gleaned from the few statements made to date or from media reports.

Quinn did take the stand today at the Lions practice facility to hold a pre-draft press conference.

• He started by thanking the scouts and staff who are dedicated to the draft 12 months of the year even though he has only been with the Lions for three months.
• Noted the depth of the draft overall and ability to improve the team through their ten picks. Picks from first to last all important.
• There have been calls about moving around. In the end they may have more picks than the initial ten going in, but could also end up with fewer.
• Feels the organizations is in good shape and ready for next Thursday even though there is still some work to do in final week.
• Gained an appreciation for everyone’s role in the draft process from his time in New England. Quinn said he has done many of those jobs in the past.
• “Of course there’s more pressure, I’m making the pick” – response to difference in being in GM position now.
• Biggest thing he learned from being in the Patriots draft room is that decisions are made before the draft. Board is set and not a lot of discussion in the draft room. Will let the draft come to them.
• Wouldn’t specify who or even the number of people in the draft room but everyone will have a specific role. Many moving parts and many hands needed.
• Jim Caldwell will be sitting right next to Quinn in the draft room. Says the coaching staff has been outstanding during the process.
• Aggressive schedule for coaches to travel and meet with prospects will be the new normal, not a function of a catch-up process after hiring a new GM.
• Quinn has spoken to a lot of agents of a lot of players but wouldn’t specify if Josh Norman is one.
• No interest in trading Matthew Stafford.
• Trades for first and second overall picks ahead of time helps teams like Lions re-evaluate what might happen ahead of them.
• Needs are “to pick the best players for the Detroit Lions.”
• Good quality depth from first to seventh round on offensive line.
• Going through the process of identifying “red flag” and “pink flag” prospects. Removing guys from draft board one of the last parts of process and doesn’t have firm number of guys in each category but says there will be a fair number.
• Confirmed Robert Nkemdiche is a “red flag” player for the Lions. Not necessarily off the board.
• Have to mesh needs and best player available to take the best player for the Detroit Lions.
• Team asks players if they love football as part of evaluation in light of trend of some players retiring early.
• Thinks his strength on draft day will be taking all the information and having a plan for the draft and executing that plan.
• Pro department identifies other team needs as a way to help determine what other teams might do as part of draft strategy.
• Hard to say if trades involving top two picks is indicative there will be more trades during first round.
• It’s always good to have cap space. Never want to not have resources to be able to get a guy who will help team.
• Looks at his team needs list every day to make best roster decisions for the team.
• No update on Stephen Tulloch other than that he is still on the roster.
• Always consider the strength of the draft when approaching free agency and signing defensive tackles in free agency won’t keep them from drafting the defensive tackle position.

That was about 15 minutes of question and answer but it isn’t any more clear how the Lions will approach the 2016 NFL Draft.

Next: Lions 7-Round Mock Draft v5.0

Fortunately, the speculation can be put aside in just one week when the first round gets underway next Thursday night.