Detroit Lions may not benefit from run on quarterbacks in 2017 NFL Draft

It seems like every year there is a run on quarterbacks in the NFL Draft. Will the ’17 run come at a spot that benefits the Detroit Lions?

In the NFL, teams either have their quarterback or they should be desperately trying to find their quarterback. That means that more than any other position, quarterbacks have a tendency to get overdrafted. As a team that already has their quarterback, the Detroit Lions find themselves in a position to benefit from the desperation of other clubs.

That certainly happened in 2011 when the Lions selected Nick Fairley with the 13th overall pick. Once thought of as a likely top-five pick, Fairley fell to the Lions in part because quarterbacks like Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder were selected in the first 12 picks.

With a similarly suspect class of quarterbacks in the 2017 NFL Draft, could the Lions once again benefit from worthy prospects being pushed down to the Lions pick because of a run on quarterbacks? Possibly, but unlikely according to the latest buzz that NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah is hearing.

If what Jeremiah is hearing comes true, it will be a matter of where “late first” really is. The tweet identifies it as something after the top 15, but a glance at the handful of teams scheduled to pick before and after the Lions suggest something after the 21st pick is where the supposed run will take place.

Next: A Quarterback for the Lions in Each Round

But you never know with quarterbacks. It’s possible some team is hot to trot and wants to make a move out of fear of the teams ahead of them. That could result in a run taking place ahead of the Lions, or even see the Lions as a potential trade partner for a team looking to move up.