For weeks before the 2020 NFL Draft, there were rumors about the Miami Dolphins wanting to trade up to select Tua Tagovailoa, along with rumors that the Detroit Lions wanted to move back. All signs pointed towards the Lions and Dolphins working out a trade that worked for both teams. The Dolphins would get their guy, and the Lions would get more draft assets.

A trade never happened and after the draft, there were questions about why the Lions wouldn't just draft Tagovailoa and figure out a trade after.

Lions general manager Bob Quinn was asked that very question and he revealed there were just too many risks with doing that without having a deal in place.

Article Continues Below
More Detroit Lions News
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during practice during OTAs at Detroit Lions headquarters and training facility in Allen Park on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
Amon-Ra St. Brown gets real on Lions’ ‘Super Bowl or nothing’ mindsetScotty White ·
image thumbnail
Rising Detroit Lions rookie turning heads in 2025 OTAsBen Strauss ·
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) makes a catch against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field.
Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown had offseason surgery, but there’s a catchJulian Ojeda ·
Center Frank Ragnow is interviewed by the media during the Detroit Lions training camp at the Lions practice facility in Allen Park, Mich. on Monday, July 29, 2024.
Dan Campbell pays tribute to Frank Ragnow after surprise retirementBen Strauss ·
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell shakes hands with center Frank Ragnow (77) warm up before the game between Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024.
Lions’ Dan Campbell gets emotional after surprise Texas A&M announcementLorenzo J Reyna ·
NFL rumors: Lions beat Bills, Commanders in ESPN's Trey Hendrickson trade bidding war
Lions beat Bills, Commanders in ESPN’s Trey Hendrickson trade bidding warChris Spiering ·

Here's what he had to say about the Lions staying put with the No. 3 pick:

“Easier, I would say much easier, said than done,” Quinn said, via the Detroit News. “How do I know Tua was [Miami’s] guy? How do I know they didn’t really want an offensive tackle, which they had talked a lot about. There are so many maybes in that conversation, that’s why it doesn’t happen in the NFL. We don’t trust each other as GMs. I worked with [Dolphins G.M.] Chris Grier for a year. My first year in the league, Chris was in New England in 2000. So I know Chris. Ultimately, like you said, it’s a game of poker. On draft weekend, I take no one’s word. I couldn’t sit there and truthfully, for the Lions organization, consider something like that because you never know what’s going to happen.”

Quinn said he never received a firm offer for the Lions' pick, but said it would have taken a lot to get a deal done because there was some concern that a team would trade up with the New York Giants to take cornerback Jeff Okudah.