Tua enters the NFL Draft
January 6th, 2020 at 12:21 PM ^
Hopefully, the Lions can bait the Dolphins into trading-up to #3 for Tua, thus giving the Lions more picks.
January 6th, 2020 at 12:26 PM ^
the dolphins front office seems infinitely smarter than bob quinn. they'd probably bait them into trading Mike Gesicki for the #3 pick straight up
January 6th, 2020 at 12:33 PM ^
No matter who the Lions draft, he'll still be a Lion.
January 6th, 2020 at 1:06 PM ^
The Lions should trade Stafford and then draft Tua and proceed to ruin his career.
January 6th, 2020 at 1:26 PM ^
I wonder if the Lions could trade Stafford to the Dolphins for one (or 2) of their first round picks. Then you start all over, but you've got a solid core to build around.
January 6th, 2020 at 1:37 PM ^
Stafford cap hit for 2020 is $26.7M and 2021 cap hit is $31.2M, 2022 cap hit = $24.2M ...which translates to, he's not going anywhere... via trade anyway
January 6th, 2020 at 2:00 PM ^
I think you underestimate just how desperate NFL teams are for QBs. For example, the 49ers gave Jimmy G more money than Stafford based on only a 6 game sample size. In fact 9 QBs make more money than Stafford, and a good chunk of those nine statistically have accomplished less than Stafford has.
IF the Lions want to trade Stafford, they would have no problem getting offers
January 6th, 2020 at 2:38 PM ^
There's almost 130 D1 teams in college, and something like 60+ of those are P5 teams. Why is the NFL so desperate for QB's? Are none of the 30ish that graduate/leave early each year any good?
I'm seriously asking. I know next to nothing about the NFL, other than their teams seem to have way too few players, and that the Lions suck.
January 6th, 2020 at 3:18 PM ^
QB is incredibly hard to play in the NFL. The position is more than just throwing. You have to read more complex defenses, and because NFL athletes as a whole are way more athletic, bigger, and faster the time to you have to do so is drastically less. You are also given less development time due to the money and frequent turnover in the league amongst players and coaches.
In college, a lot of systems are built on QBs running the ball. It's harder in the NFL for QBs to run because NFL defenders will flat out murder you. The only way QBs can consistently run the ball without getting injured all the time is if you are Cam Newton size, or a once in a blue moon athlete like Lamar Jackson. So all those running QBs in college enter the NFL not being able to utilize there strongest attribute.
And finally, you can get away with non NFL talent at the QB position in college because there are so many teams. All the NFL athletes are spread out amongst the 130 teams. In the NFL, you have the best of the best condensed to 30 teams.
January 6th, 2020 at 3:46 PM ^
Interesting. Thanks! I learned something new today.
January 6th, 2020 at 3:50 PM ^
All true, and I'd add that Jackson improved markedly as a passer in his second year (and really, improved from his college years as well). If he was still a 58% passer he probably wouldn't be as effective running the ball.
My one issue drafting a QB from a place like Alabama, OSU, or Clemson (and yes, I get that the latter two have had guys drafted reasonably high recently) is that they play on teams with such talent advantages that it's sometimes hard to see if they can continue that performance when the opposition catches up. I'm not saying you give up on Haskins or anything after a year, but at least some of his struggles this year looked like the type you get when the pass rush gets to you quicker than you're used to and those little dink-and-dunk throws don't turn into massive YAC because defenders tackle quickly. So if I'm drafting a guy like Tua I do wonder how much of his success is tied to innate ability and how much is possibly having 3 first-round WRs on the roster.
January 6th, 2020 at 4:14 PM ^
Totally agree with everything you said.
Jackson’s improvement from last years playoff game to now has been monumental. I still question his WR- based passing, but John Harbaugh has built a machine around Jackson - one that will be exciting for many seasons to come.
I echo your sentiment about drafting QBs from the elite colleges. In many respects, they don’t possess the NFL caliber skills necessary, especially when they can simply “out athlete” other teams. Many guys instead, like Mahomes and Wilson and others, have the mental intangibles to process defenses and the accuracy to drop dimes. Only a few guys may have the right stuff between the ears, but even fewer have the accuracy.
January 6th, 2020 at 2:41 PM ^
Agree. Off the top of my head I could think at least 10 teams that don’t have a good starting QB or a young QB that they’re developing who would probably jump at an upgrade like Stafford.
January 6th, 2020 at 4:23 PM ^
Quinn and Patricia are on thin ice. They need to win now. They are not trading Stafford for the future. Their approach will be about next season so it’s not their last.
Is it a deep year for tight ends?
Tua is smart to come out now. Some say his injury is career threatening. I’m not sure I would risk a 1st round pick if that’s the case.
January 6th, 2020 at 4:36 PM ^
Which is one of the major problems with bring a couple of losers like Quinn and Patricia back with a “win now or else” edict.
All the moves they make are going to be in an attempt to eke out 8 or 9 wins next year to con Martha that they’re on the right track so they deserve another 3 years. Even if it comes at the cost of passing over an asset who could be the foundation of your offense for the next 10-15 years.
January 6th, 2020 at 10:20 PM ^
I like the idea. Unfortunately I don't see it happening because as someone mentioned, Stafford has a massive cap hit. Trading him would be difficult as a result. Secondly, Quinn and Patricia are fighting for their jobs right now so "building a strong core for the future" isn't their priority because they won't have jobs then.
That's why bringing them both back was a completely ridiculous thing to do. They will put a lions team that was just 3-12-1 in "win now" mode simply because their jobs depend on it.
January 6th, 2020 at 12:24 PM ^
I think he will go to Miami; however, I want the Colts to make a trade with the Lions to get him at 3 if Chase Young isn't there (which he won't be). Lions need picks and there isn't a reason to stay at 3 if Young is gone when they need CB, LB, and DL help that they can get at 13 (Colts), 34 (Colts), 35, and possibly 44 (Colts).
Yeah, that was all wishful thinking and it probably won't happen.
January 6th, 2020 at 1:38 PM ^
The Colts are closer to win-now mode than Miami, and in an easier division. If there's a chance Tua could be ready for the regular season, I would trade up.
January 6th, 2020 at 2:53 PM ^
The Colts are in an easier division than Miami? The AFC South should be pretty competitive next year, while I see the AFC East being up for grabs. If Miami can finally find their QB of the future in Tua and if they can make good use of their cap space, I think they have a much better chance at winning than the Colts.
January 6th, 2020 at 12:25 PM ^
Lions are going to draft Shea at #3 overall.
January 6th, 2020 at 12:30 PM ^
Not injury prone or TE enough for the Lions
January 6th, 2020 at 12:48 PM ^
They could convert him to TE where he may be remarkably more injury prone.
January 6th, 2020 at 9:55 PM ^
Then watch Shea become the new GOAT of the NFL because nothing makes sense anymore.
January 6th, 2020 at 12:28 PM ^
Smart choice. Mac Jones would have given him way too much competition to turn down a likely first round draft pick.
January 6th, 2020 at 1:12 PM ^
I can't tell if this is sarcastic or ignorant to the fact that Bryce Young will undoubtedly be Alabama's starting qb next year.
January 6th, 2020 at 4:38 PM ^
You must be a complete fucking moron to think there is no doubt that a 5'11" true freshman will start at Alabama next year.
January 6th, 2020 at 12:29 PM ^
Miami seems like a natural fit. They are in major rebuild mode, so they can organizationally be patient with a healing Tua. Stash him away for a year and let Fitzmagic do his thing, draft high again the following year, then good things can happen (FWIW, this formula has obviously worked well for the Lions over the last 3 decades).
January 6th, 2020 at 1:06 PM ^
The Dolphins are much much smarter than the Lions. They can get Tua at 5, and then they have 3 picks that are also very high at 18, 25ish (Depends on when the Texans lose), and 37. And then another 2nd rounder at 56. They had the youngest roster in the NFL last year, and they should take another small step forward. Then they have another 2 first round picks next year. So in total, they'll have 5 first rounders and 3 second rounders over 2 years with the youngest roster. Future is bright there.
January 6th, 2020 at 1:14 PM ^
Totally agree with this sentiment. The Dolphins are in great shape for a successful rebuild based on draft and develop tactics.
January 6th, 2020 at 1:27 PM ^
Maybe Stephen Ross and Jim Harbaugh have a secret deal in place.
January 6th, 2020 at 1:25 PM ^
not if quinn is smart enough to be on the horn with several teams that need a QB. Then he may get one to try to outbid the other. I shouldn't even hope.. its the lions.
January 6th, 2020 at 2:18 PM ^
I'm a Dolphins fan, and I'd be pretty happy with Miami drafting Tua at 5, but if another team wants to jump over us to draft him at 3 or 4, so be it. His injury history scares me enough that I wouldn't want to invest more than a single first round pick on him.
January 6th, 2020 at 2:17 PM ^
If Tua is deemed healed and ready for the 2020 season there is no way he lasts to #5 for the Dolphins. Teams at 2, 3 and 4 will most likely not be drafting a QB. So, somebody will trade up ahead of the Dolphins. If the Dolphins want him they will have to trade up to get him.
January 6th, 2020 at 2:33 PM ^
The dolphins could then hire Nick saban seems like a nice fit...er wait.
January 6th, 2020 at 12:33 PM ^
Three options presented themselves to Tua after his injury but he took the best one. He has nothing left to prove at Alabama. The Dolphins would be good spot for him, they are "set" at QB for 2020 while is idea as it gives Tua time to both completely heal and absorb the playbook.
Josh Rosen getting set for his third team in three or four years.
January 6th, 2020 at 12:46 PM ^
If dolphins trade up with lions, the lions should ask for Rosen. He’s young and a decent QB that can develop under Stafford. If he doesn’t get better then you can draft an elite QB in a couple years
January 6th, 2020 at 1:07 PM ^
Rosen is terrible. He was bad in Arizona and abysmally bad in Miami. I'd rather try and develop Blough or Driskell as it wouldn't cost any capital.
January 6th, 2020 at 2:01 PM ^
If the Miami front office is so smart and Rosen is so terrible, then why did Miami trade away decent picks for him to be 2nd string behind Fitz to start the season?
January 6th, 2020 at 2:04 PM ^
At this point, and based on what we have seen so far, I don't understand how any one can put decent and Rosen together in the same sentence, unless its Rosen is a decent 3rd string QB.
January 6th, 2020 at 12:49 PM ^
Guys, the "Lions will draft a TE" jokes aren't original or funny anymore. Come up with something better please.
January 6th, 2020 at 12:56 PM ^
How about the Lions come up with something better than drafting a TE in the first round first?
January 6th, 2020 at 1:08 PM ^
In the last 10 years, a TE has been selected in the top 10 twice. The Lions drafted both of them.
January 6th, 2020 at 2:48 PM ^
Amazing isn’t it. In the last 30 years how many tight ends have there been whose NFL careers would justify being picked in the top 10? 4 or 5 at most.
Yet, the Lions being the Lions, keep saying they’re going to beat those long odds and hit eventually.
January 6th, 2020 at 1:09 PM ^
What’s less funny; jokes about the Lions drafting a TE or the fact the Lions have drafted a TE in the top 10 twice in the past 5 years?
January 6th, 2020 at 1:22 PM ^
Bob, is that you?
January 6th, 2020 at 12:54 PM ^
Who gives two effs about Tua? Is this the board where we discuss every Alabama player leaving for the draft? If so then two cents - he is overrated given the line, coach and weapons he's had around him.
January 6th, 2020 at 1:05 PM ^
After watching the bowl game, I'd say Alabama's play-calling/coaching is borderline bad... I don't know how any coach that scouted us playing OSU and Wisconsin doesn't realize they can just get 8 yards/play running power the entire game. Especially when it came out that Dwumfor was out.
They realized it on the last drive, and look how that went...
January 6th, 2020 at 1:13 PM ^
Yeah because we really had ‘Bama on the ropes until that last drive.
January 6th, 2020 at 1:23 PM ^
I mean, we were winning at halftime, and they punted on 6 of 11 drives during the game. It was still a game in the 4th.
IMO, they won based on talent alone. Not game-plan.
January 6th, 2020 at 1:27 PM ^
My take is Bama ran their offense regardless of our strengths until they needed to bleed the clock. While we did better this time than last / better than most, the game was typical Bama - play your game until your opponent wears out in the second half and pull away. There was nothing surprising.