Detroit Lions fans have had it rough since last September.
The Lions started the season 3-3-1, but things came to a crashing halt when quarterback Matthew Stafford was injured in Week 9 against the Oakland Raiders.
In fact, the Lions lost nine straight after Stafford went down, finishing at 3-12-1 and securing a top-three pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The offseason was hardly any better, as star cornerback Darius Slay demanded a trade (the team ultimately obliged) and the Lions also lost offensive linemen Graham Glasgow while making some rather interesting signings on both sides of the ball.
However, Detroit has a massive opportunity to rebound in 2020, and it should start with the draft. General Manager Bob Quinn said he is open to moving off the third pick, which could alter the complexion of their draft.
See, the Lions have an enormous amount of leverage at the No. 3 spot. This is exactly why they should look to trade that pick and move back in an effort to acquire multiple other selections and boost the amount of young talent available to head coach Matt Patricia.
Why trading the third pick makes sense
As previously mentioned, the Lions hold a lot of influence and sway in terms of bargaining. This is because a pair of teams desperate to land quarterbacks will make their picks shortly after Detroit is on the clock.
The Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers are both doing their due diligence on the quarterback prospects in this year's class, though either team might feel the need to trade up in order to select the signal-caller of their choice.
Both teams have given indications they are narrowing in on Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported the Dolphins have done an extensive amount of scouting on Herbert, and both teams are enamored with his size and arm strength.
Not to mention, Alabama quarterback and fellow top prospect Tua Tagovailoa had the lowest Wonderlic score of any quarterback prospect in the draft, which could improve Herbert's stock that much more.
This is a massive opportunity for the Lions to potentially pit the two teams against one another and nab extra draft picks in exchange for the third selection. Both teams might feel the urgency to move up in order to ensure they can select either Herbert or–though it seems less likely at this juncture–Tua at the No. 3 spot.
Trading back would mean the Lions still pick at either No. 5 or No. 6, and the prospects they might be interested in (like cornerbacks Jeff Okudah or C.J. Henderson) will almost certainly still be available.
Plus, they could likely ask for an additional second-round pick or even a third-rounder. Detroit already has a pair of third-rounders, and grabbing a third could be a fairly consequential decision should Quinn decide to pull the trigger.
Given the player they would likely take at No. 3 figures to be available a few picks later, the Lions should trade back and grab an extra pick.
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