La Canfora: Lions shopping 2nd overall pick

[Nick]

Lions shopping No. 2 overall pick
Posted: February 23rd, 2010
Jason La Canfora

The Detroit Lions are actively shopping the second overall pick in April’s draft, according to a league source, and would be very comfortable trading down, looking to stockpile three or four assets.

The Lions have already been in discussions with other teams about the prospect, according to the source, and have ample time to make such a move before the draft begins April 22. Given the uncertain labor and economic climate in the NFL, finding a trading partner might not be easy, but the possibility remains that a club may want to move into the top two to ensure it lands one of the two dominant defensive tackles in the draft — Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh and Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy — who many draft experts rate as by far the best players in this draft.

The Lions are trying to rebuild a long-suffering defense in particular, after sinking considerable high picks and resources into offensive skill players in recent years. They are not averse to taking the top player on their board, according to the source, but will seek to explore all options for a trade.

The St. Louis Rams, who hold the top overall pick, have denied a report that they were in discussions with Tampa Bay to deal that selection, but there will be lots of jockeying and machinations taking place between now and late April.

There are some teams that have interest in Lions linebacker Ernie Sims as well, according to league sources, but the prospect of him being included in any deal along with the second-overall pick seems bleak now, with Detroit valuing him as a building block on defense. Sims, the ninth overall pick in 2006, has two years remaining on his rookie deal.

It makes sense that there'd be some interest in Detroit's pick. If you're in the market for one of the top two defensive tackles, then you have to move into the top two. Trading with Tampa doesn't help you if Suh and McCoy are gone with the first two picks. If the Rams pass on a DT for a QB, then trading with Detroit gives you your pick of the two DTs.

That said, unless Detroit is offered a really great trade-down deal, I think it's going to be hard for them to pass up a defensive tackle themselves.

[Rambunctious]

I know it is early Nick but what is your guess on how this could effect us?


Does it make our #1 pick more attractive or less attractive to teams?

Is a trade now more likely between Detroit and Tampa? They only drop one spot gain an extra third rounder and Tampa moves up to grab one of the top two DTs.

[HUbison]

This just in.....the ________ are actively shopping the _____ overall pick. The ______ are looking to trade down and gain more picks.

Fill in the blank; it will apply.