NFL Draft rumor: Detroit Lions could be interested in QB Jalen Hurts in Day 2

Round 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft begins at 7 p.m. ET on Friday night, and it won’t be long into the night when we see what the Detroit Lions’ plans are for all three of their picks. They start the night “in the hole” with the 35th overall pick before following it up with Picks 3 (67th overall) and 21 (85) in the third round.

There is plenty of defensive talent still available, including Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa or TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock, but one rumor from NFL Network suggests the Lions could shock many and target a quarterback as early as that 35th pick.

Tom Pelissero is reporting that in addition to their time spent at the Senior Bowl (Hurts was on the Bengals’ South team), the Lions had a private meeting with Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Of course, you could put this rumor right in the pile of misleading trade rumors we heard around 24 hours ago.

This development seems especially suspect, though. If the Lions had interest in drafting a quarterback as Matthew Stafford’s heir, it would be a questionable decision to pass on the talent they had available with the third overall pick only to settle for the fifth-best player at the most important position in football.

Additionally, Detroit already invested in a backup by signing Chase Daniel to a three-year, $13 million contract. They also have a developmental backup they like in David Blough, whom they traded for last year.

As for Hurts as a prospect, his most attractive trait is likely his mobility. In his senior year at Oklahoma—after transferring from Alabama—he rushed for 1,298 yards and 20 touchdowns, leading the Sooners to a 12-2 record, a Big 12 title and a College Playoff appearance. He definitely has some inconsistencies as a passer, but still maintained an impressive 80:20 touchdown-to-interception ratio in college.

We’ve now been conditioned to question every rumor surrounding the Lions this year, but this would make for an interesting Friday.