Lions talking to teams about No. 3 pick
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The Detroit Lions have already talked to other teams about trading the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and general manager Bob Quinn expects those chats to intensify as the draft approaches.
"I've had a few of those conversations over the last week or so," Quinn said Friday, according to ESPN's Michael Rothstein. "Had a few of those conversations, honestly, as far back as the combine. ... And then there will be more substantive talks next week if people are interested."
Quinn declared in February that the Lions were "open to any trades." Whether or not Detroit decides to deal the third overall pick, Quinn wants to have a verdict before the draft begins on April 23.
"If I'm going to do something, I think we'll have a pretty good idea Thursday afternoon of kind of where we stand," he said. "I don't think I'm going to be making a huge decision on trading the No. 3 overall pick while I'm on the clock, while I'm virtually talking to our head coach and our other personnel."
The No. 3 pick has been heavily linked to quarterback-needy teams. With the Cincinnati Bengals expected to draft Joe Burrow first overall, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert are believed to be the only other QBs who could go early in the first round.
In theScore's latest mock draft, the Los Angeles Chargers traded up from the No. 6 pick to select Tagovailoa third overall.
Quinn said the Lions, who are set to have Matthew Stafford at quarterback in 2020, are determined to find an immediate contributor regardless of whether they keep their top-three pick.
"We have to do a good job of making sure ... the player we select can come in right away - especially if we're drafting that early - come in Day 1 and be a player, be a guy that can come in and help us win games," Quinn said. "We always give rookies a little bit of leeway to learn the system and all those things, but I think this year is a little different."
The 2020 NFL Draft will take place virtually from April 23-25.
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