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Talk is just talk, but sometimes the timing and context make a conversation all the more interesting.
Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn had a conversation with Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell Thursday afternoon, according to a tweet from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Per Schefter, the call was “about this evening’s picks.” In other words, they were talking about some potential trades.
Here’s something worth monitoring tonight: Jaguars’ GM Dave Caldwell just called Lions’ GM Bob Quinn about this evening’s picks, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 23, 2020
The Jaguars are a noteworthy trade-down candidate for several reasons. First, they currently sit with the ninth overall pick. That’s a little further than Quinn has indicated he would like to trade down, but he also admitted he “could see a scenario” in which it happens.
That scenario would likely involve some hefty compensation, and the Jaguars have some enticing ammunition to offer the Lions. First and foremost, the Jaguars have a second first-round pick at 20th overall. We discussed the value of a trade involving the third overall pick for 9 and 20 here:
Jimmy Johnson trade chart analysis:
Jaguars get: 2,200 points
Lions get: 2,200 points
Rich Hill trade chart analysis
Jaguars get: 514.33 points
Lions get: 656.19 points
Would that be enough to push Quinn out of his comfort zone? Hard to say, but it seems a tad unlikely.
Still, that Jaguars could offer more, but instead of picks, they could offer players. Both running back Leonard Fournette and edge defender Yannick Ngakoue fill significant needs for the Lions, but both come with serious risks. Fournette has battled through injury for most of his young career and only has one more year on his rookie deal. Ngakoue requires a sign-and-trade of his franchise tag, and he’s in the middle of an ugly, public spat with ownership. That kind of conduct seems to run in the face of the culture Detroit is trying to build.
Of course, talks between general managers on Thursday are completely normal. There is no guarantee these two teams have worked out a deal or even came close to one. But when the Lions are on the clock Thursday night, it’s something to keep in the back of your mind.