Brad Holmes intrigued by the ‘different flavors’ in this QB class

Every year, general managers and coaches from across the league speak to the media at the NFL Combine, but with the event canceled this year, the Detroit Lions made general manager Brad Holmes available to the local media Tuesday morning via Zoom.

Holmes discussed a variety of topics but made a point to address the quarterback class twice during his session.

“I think that the quarterback class is good this year,” Holmes said. “I like the crop of quarterbacks that are coming out in this year’s draft.”

While Holmes didn't name any players specifically, he did point to this class being full of “different flavors” of quarterback and that gave the Lions options.

“You have a guy that can actually do it all,” Holmes said. “Can do it from the pocket. That can do it with his legs. You have another guy that a little bit more does it with his legs—a little more of being creative. There’s another guy that probably does it more from the pocket. So, all the different flavors make it very intriguing when you’re looking across the whole scope of the class of these quarterbacks.”

Holmes gave no hints on which style of player he preferred and pointed to head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn as being in “lockstep” in their vision of the Lions offensive scheme and who could best fit.

“What’s their (the quarterback’s) superpower and is that superpower the best thing that’s going to fit for the Lions?”

Does this mean the Lions are all in on a quarterback with pick No. 7? Of course not, but presenting it as a realistic option is absolutely the right approach to take with the media as other teams are watching these press conferences.

“When you’re picking in the top 10,” Holmes continued, “I don’t think you can ignore (a position). And it’s smart drafting business anyways, that when you’re picking in the top 10 that you know that quarterback class very thoroughly.”

The previous two years, the Lions have picked in the top 10, and while former general manager Bob Quinn always claimed quarterback was an option, it was clear the previous regime had no interest in acquiring one early. That does not appear to be the case this year, as landing a quarterback is a very realistic option with Matthew Stafford no longer in town.

Is there a quarterback in this class that the Lions have high on their radar? Are they willing to pay the price to acquire him and his superpower? Or are they drumming up trade interest?

We don't know these answers right now... but that’s kind of the point, and surely how Holmes likes it.