Detroit Lions Draft 2016: What to Watch for on Day Three

The Detroit Lions put the finishing touches on their class in the 2016 NFL Draft with the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday afternoon.

The first two days of the 2016 NFL Draft are in the books but day three will be the busiest yet. Good players are still to be had in rounds four through seven today and the Detroit Lions enter the day with seven picks in total.

Outside the Trenches
Bob Quinn said in his post-draft press conference on day two that he believes in building teams from the trenches and that has certainly been on display with two offensive linemen and a defensive lineman selected in his first three picks as Lions general manager. He joked that maybe he’ll take some skill position players on day three. Of course he will, but it will be interesting to see if that happens right away or if the moves away from the trenches by going inside-out.

By that I mean moving from, say, the defensive line to linebacker (or box safety) before considering a cornerback. On offense, maybe that is prioritizing a tight end over a wide receiver or running back. I’m probably over-thinking things by being so ordered in how positions are drafted but the first three picks show there is some kind of prioritization in play.

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Backup Quarterback
Quinn also said Friday night that he didn’t consider Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook with their third round compensatory pick but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Lions use one of their day three picks on a quarterback. Might it be Cook? It would be a surprise if his fall lasted to the point that the Lions would consider a quarterback. Pencil in a sixth or seventh round pick for a quarterback.

Trades
Bob Quinn has stayed pat with his pick so far but day three should be ripe for trading opportunities. With seven picks, do the Lions even have roster space to take a ten-man draft class? Answering that question with a no makes trading a necessity and could be accomplished a couple ways. The first is to package picks to move up and improve the quality of a single pick. The other is to trade out of a pick entirely in exchange for a 2017 draft pick. Giving up a pick this year for a pick next year generally brings a one round premium in return.

Even if the Lions don’t mind having such a big draft class, having more picks on day three than they had on day two provides opportunities to move up and down as they want. The Patriots have been heavy draft day traders and surely that trait rubbed off on Quinn at least a little bit.

Next: Full NFL Draft Coverage on Detroit Jock City

And don’t forget about Stephen Tulloch. He remains on the roster despite every indication that he will not be with the Lions next season. Quinn described it as a contractual matter, but the thinking is that Tulloch will be floated as a trade chip during or shortly after the draft and released if a deal doesn’t come to fruition. Might we see a trade involving Tulloch tomorrow? It’s something to watch for on Saturday.

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