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The Detroit Lions wrapped up their preparations for the 2014 NFL Draft last Friday. On Monday, Lions general manager Martin Mayhew held one final press conference before the draft begins later this week. During the presser, he touched on the trade rumors surrounding Ndamukong Suh, what his goal is for the draft and many other topics. Below is a recap of what he had to say.
On what kind of players the Lions are looking to draft:
Mayhew: "We need guys who can help us win football games. It doesn’t matter what position they play." #Lions
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 5, 2014
Mayhew: "I think our philosophy & my philosophy is pretty consistent: We’ll take the best player for us...We’re not going to reach for need"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 5, 2014
Mayhew: Besides a long snapper and punter, we're open to taking any position in the draft.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 5, 2014
On the possibility of a trade:
Mayhew said he started having preliminary trade talks with other teams, both ahead and behind Lions in first round.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 5, 2014
Mayhew on trading up: "It depends how much those blue chips cost. If they cost too much I’d rather have a couple red chips."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 5, 2014
On the first nine picks and where the top quarterbacks will land:
Mayhew on QBs going early: "It would be very helpful for us. I’d like to see six or seven quarterbacks go in the top 10."
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 5, 2014
Mayhew: "If no quarterbacks go, we’ll have 10 names. If 4 quarterbacks go, we’ll know who our guy is"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 5, 2014
On Sammy Watkins and Jadeveon Clowney:
Mayhew on Sammy Watkins: All the guys that are really, really good, I'm enamored with.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 5, 2014
Mayhew said the #Lions did "due diligence" on Sammy Watkins -- and Clowney.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 5, 2014
On what he looks for in quarterbacks, cornerbacks, wide receivers and safeties:
Mayhew said his top trait in a QB is one who can "sling it," but it would be nice to find a thrower with some athleticism.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 5, 2014
Mayhew said he values competitiveness in his cornerbacks. In WRs, 2 most important qualities are good hands and "guys with speed."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 5, 2014
Mayhew said finding safeties who can cover has become more important, but tone-setters are still good. #Lions
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 5, 2014
On the special teams aspect:
Mayhew said Lions have added an increased emphasis on looking for late-round prospects who can play special teams.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 5, 2014
Mayhew on how much return ability factors in up top: "It factors in more when you don’t have a prominent returner, which we do."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 5, 2014
On smokescreens and other general managers:
Mayhew said he doesnt spend any time creating smoke screens, which could be a smoke screen
— Mike Mady (@lionsreport) May 5, 2014
Mayhew on how many GMs you can trust when talking about the draft: "None. But you can listen to what he says though."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 5, 2014
On the depth of the draft and thinking about the future:
Mayhew; "There's a lot of depth in this draft" into Round 3 .. "It's going to make our football team a lot better."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 5, 2014
Mayhew: Draft is not for the first game of the season. Draft is not for the middle of the season. It's for the future of the franchise
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) May 5, 2014
On the extra two weeks before the draft this year:
Mayhew said having the extra 2 weeks has benefitted him this year, replaced the time he lost looking for a head coach
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 5, 2014
On Brian Xanders, medical grading and who makes the final call on picks:
Mayhew lists the database Brian Xanders installed that helped consolidate information as something that has been helpful the last two years.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 5, 2014
Mayhew said the team has changed some of their medical grading & have a new team doctor. #Lions
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) May 5, 2014
Mayhew also will make all final decesions. Everyone puts a grade on a player but Mayhew has to live with the pick tied to him so he decides
— Mike Mady (@lionsreport) May 5, 2014