With The First Pick
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2020 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions team preview before the draft

By Christopher Reiss

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 15: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions watches the action on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on December 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Tampa Bay defeated Detroit 38-17. Will they look to replace him in the 2020 NFL Draft or build around him? (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 15: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions watches the action on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on December 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Tampa Bay defeated Detroit 38-17. Will they look to replace him in the 2020 NFL Draft or build around him? (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

The Detroit Lions are in control of the 2020 NFL Draft. If they want to trade their first-round pick for more capital they can or they can hold on to it.

The Detroit Lions were one of the teams that took off early in the 2019 season, but after week three, something turned. The Lions went on a nine game losing streak, as I am writing this, the streak is still active today. They will look to the 2020 NFL Draft to turn their fortunes around.

Franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford had a terrible back and a neck injury that held him for most of the year, and young star running back Kerryon Johnson got hurt early in the season. The defense giving up over 400 yards at one point in the season. Head coach Matt Patricia needed to do something to change the losses to wins and fast.

This offseason the Lions were active in free agency and making a few trades that helped with bringing in some draft capital. They could also trade back from third overall to gain some more draft capital as well if a rebuild is directly in their future.

The Lions traded away their Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay for a third and fifth-round pick, and Lions had a few big signings on the defense side of the ball signing former Patriots Jamie Collins and Danny Shelton. The Lions are arguably in control of this draft, if they want to stay at third overall they can, or if they would like to gain some draft capital they can trade back to fifth overall to the Dolphins and the Lions can also gain the Dolphins 26th overall pick as well.

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Head Coach: Matt Patricia

General Manager: Bob Quinn

2019 Record: (3-12-1)

2020 Draft Picks

Round 1, Pick 3

Round 2, Pick 35

Round 3, Pick 67

Round 3, Pick 85 (Via the Philadelphia Eagles)

Round 4, Pick 109

Round 5, Pick 149

Round 5, Pick 166 (Via the Philadelphia Eagles)

Round 6, Pick 182

Round 7, Pick 235 (Via the New England Patriots)

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