The Detroit Lions are in the market for a top wide receiver ahead of Thursday's NFL Draft, and new general manager Brad Holmes tried to make an aggressive move up the board in order to get his guy.
Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN reported Wednesday the Lions attempted to move from the No. 7 pick to the No. 4 pick so as to draft LSU star wideout Ja'Marr Chase. But the Atlanta Falcons' asking price was too high.
Will the Lions still have the opportunity to draft Chase? A couple of dominos need to fall.
The first three picks are expected to be quarterbacks. It seems likely the Atlanta Falcons will take Florida tight end Kyle Pitts with the fourth overall pick. That leaves the Cincinnati Bengals (No. 5) and Miami Dolphins (No. 6) ahead of the Lions.
A Chase-to-Detroit scenario could depend on Cincy. The Bengals might end up drafting Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell to bolster the offensive line. But Cincy is also considering Chase, who was quarterback Joe Burrow's teammate at LSU.
The Dolphins–another team seemingly needing a receiver–could take Chase. That said, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported he has “heard for weeks” Miami prefers Alabama wideout Jaylen Waddle to Chase.
Numerous evaluators told Fowler and Graziano they believe Chase is the No. 1 wideout in the class. Detroit would love to bring him into the mix after losing Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones to free agency.
However, it remains to be seen whether the Lions will get the chance to draft Chase after failing to trade up.
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