Kenyan Drake a Big Swing and Miss for Lions GM Bob Quinn
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions dropped the ball by not trading for Kenyan Drake. For a franchise that is so thin at running back not to add the shifty back signals, Bob Quinn could already be looking ahead to next year rather than trying to salvage the remainder of this season.
The trade deadline has come and gone, yet the Detroit Lions decided not to make an additional move after sending Quandre Diggs to the Seattle Seahawks for a fifth-round pick in next years’ draft. Somehow the Arizona Cardinals were able to land Kenyan Drake from the tanking Miami Dolphins for a sixth-round pick that could move to a fifth.
The catch is, it’s New England’s pick, meaning it’s basically a seventh-round pick knowing the Patriots will be one of the last teams to make a selection that could become a sixth when you really examine the deal.
So you are going to tell me that Bob Quinn wouldn’t give up a sixth-round pick to land a 25-year old back that is essentially a carbon copy of Kerryon Johnson. They run nearly the same 40-yard dash, they can both catch the football out of the backfield, and while they may struggle running the football in between the tackles at times when they do see a glimmer of light between linemen, they can burst through to the second and third level before you can blink.
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Watching Drake Thursday night playing against one of the best defenses in football, the San Francisco 49ers, it was evident that the Lions really missed out. When you consider the trade with Seattle, the Lions would have still had two fifth-round picks and moved a sixth for Drake.
With the absence of star runner David Johnson, Drake carved up the 49ers defense with 110 yards on the ground and a touchdown on just 15 carries. He also reeled in 4 grabs on 4 targets totaling 52 yards.
Remember, he didn’t play for Miami on Sunday, so his legs were fresh, which absolutely helped with his production as everyone else was on a short week. Nevertheless, the Lions could have added Drake as a cheap rental at the very least. He’s due to become a free agent at seasons’ end but was only due roughly $500,000 for the remainder of the ’19 season.
Bob Quinn could have swapped Diggs for Drake, in turn, keeping two fifth’s and only lost a sixth. Instead, the Detroit Lions roll into Oakland tomorrow with only two healthy backs in Ty Johnson and J.D. McKissic. Tra Carson, who the Lions claimed off of waivers from Green Bay, started last week but is questionable with a sore hamstring.
Next. Lions absolutely have no sense of direction. dark
Bob Quinn did try to add Devonta Freeman from the Atlanta Falcons on the Tuesday trade deadline but couldn’t come to an agreement. He understands there is a need but apparently doesn’t want a rental for the remainder of this season.