Detroit Lions Draft Rumors: Selecting Jalen Hurts 35th would be absurd

The Detroit Lions decided to pass on a franchise-type quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa after failing to trade down in the first round of the NFL Draft.

If you’ve followed us for quite some time, you may remember about four months ago we published an article suggesting the Detroit Lions should select Jalen Hurts in the second round of the NFL Draft. A move to give the team a backup quarterback with plenty of upside, something they haven’t had since drafting Matthew Stafford.

Drafting Hurts would be an intriguing situation if the Lions were able to trade away the third overall pick, adding draft capital and still selecting Jeff Okudah or Derrick Brown a handful of picks later.

The fact is, General Manager (GM) ruined his chances of completing a trade weeks ago when rumors swirled about Detroit, potentially drafting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the third pick while placing Stafford on the trade block.

Quinn foolishly squashed those rumors, immediately crushing all of his trade leverage.  Do you think Miami believed that Quinn had the courage to select Tua last night after failing to negotiate a trade? Miami owned three first-round picks last night, wanted Tua, and got him without trading up because they knew Quinn and Patricia weren’t going to pick him.

The Detroit Lions needed to make teams believe they’d be willing to select Tua, in turn, trade back, add draft capital to fill out their roster.  That would allow the team to comfortably draft Jalen Hurts with the 35th pick in the draft.

Think about it for a second; if the Lions were able to pick in the 20s last night, they’d have whoever they choose at 35 tonight, Hurts would be the teams’ third pick, not the second.  I really like the kid, I would be ok with Detroit picking Hurts with the 85th pick or the 109th pick but not 35.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Quinn may have his sights set on Jalen Hurts.

How can Quinn justify selecting Hurts while possibly leaving players like Yetur Gross-Matos, Xavier McKinney, Zach Baun, A.J. Epenesa, Ross Blacklock, J.K. Dobbins, Jonathan Taylor, and D’Andre Swift on the board?  There is too much talent here to focus on rather than taking a quarterback AFTER already passing up on potentially a franchise quarterback that expressed his willingness to sit and learn behind a veteran for a year or two learning/healing at the professional level.

It’s just another draft day rumor, don’t make much of it BUT if Detroit selects Hurts at 35, just step outside for a second and you may hear me releasing some frustration.