Lions: 3 options with 7th overall pick in 2021 NFL Draft
By Felix Davila
Option 1: Choose the heir to the Detroit throne.
Of the many directions the Detroit Lions can go with this selection, the most controversial pick they could make is at quarterback. The aforementioned Matthew Stafford continues to be a steadfast and consistent player despite the underwhelming nature of the team overall. Turning 33 on February 7th, Stafford notched his eighth season with 4,000+ passing yards and tossed 26 touchdowns. But while his play has not slowed by any means, the new GM and head coach may want to start fresh and pick their guy.
Being that the Lions are just outside the top five selections, they will most likely lose out on the top quarterbacks in Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Zach Wilson, forcing them to consider the next best player. Trey Lance is likely a target at this spot. He boasts a solid frame, a cannon for an arm, and admirable athleticism that is perfect for today’s NFL. The main knock on him is that he has only one year under his belt as a starter at North Dakota State University, an FCS powerhouse. Lance will have to help himself tremendously during the draft process to earn top ten billing, but it is not out of the question.
Selecting Lance could be a pathway to the future, allowing him to either sit behind Stafford or justify the Lions trading Stafford before the draft to accumulate more picks for their rebuild. Moving the starting quarterback would remove his massive contract, which is due for a 2021 cap hit of $33 million per Spotrac. This would leave a dead cap of only $19 million, which pales in comparison to the dead cap number from last year at $40.3 million.
It would be a sad way to see a Detroit legend leave the city, and he is no doubt a fan favorite. But moving him would provide a fresh start on a potential contender (such as Denver, San Francisco, or even New England) and give the new Lions brass more ammunition to rejuvenate their roster. Such a trade may be unlikely, but crazier things have happened at the hands of a new head shed being hired for a franchise.