Detroit Lions Weblog

Pre-Draft Intrigue Continues With Rumored McCown Trade

Perhaps Matt Millen says it best. “I am a wide receiver expert,” openly mocking his two busted first round draft picks at the position, in recent comments published in the “Football Buzz” section of Pro Sports Weekly.  Millen also states ” I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we haven’t really looked at what people have said we should do (in the draft).”  The growing rumors surrounding a potential trade of backup QB Josh McCown to the Oakland Raiders supports Millen’s previous statement and indicate, at least while Millen is in charge, the Lions are far from predictable.

Josh McCown is well-versed in Mike Martz’s offensive scheme, entering his second season with the Lions.  He has been a great teammate, sacrificing his own interests to help out at wide receiver last season and providing amiable support to the player who beat him out last season, Jon Kitna. 

That’s why it makes absolutely no sense for the Lions to trade McCown.  McCown appears capable of filling in for Kitna if needed and has the scrambling ability necessary to overcome any future shortcomings of the Lions offensive line. The Lions might possibly be slow-playing the Raiders in hopes of forcing them to have to take a QB in the upcoming draft and have no genuine interest in trading McCown, as rumored. 

Unless McCown and his agent have demanded a trade, the trade doesn’t make sense.   On the surface, it would appear more beneficial to the Lions that the Raiders select either QB Brady Quinn or QB JaMarcus Russell.  If the Raiders traded for McCown, they would be increasingly likely to take WR Calvin Johnson.   I believe that teams are less likely to trade up for RB Adrian Peterson, either QB Russell or Quinn or OT Thomas than they would be to select WR Johnson, who appears to be closest thing to a sure pick in the draft.  

Adding more of a nightmare scenario to the proceedings, let’s suggest that the Lions do trade McCown to the Raiders.  The Raiders do take Johnson first overall and the Lions are unable to trade down as a result.   The Lions would take whomever is highest on their draft board, let’s say Russell.  How long would it be before the Raiders traded WR Randy Moss to a NFC North divisional rival like Green Bay or Minnesota who would hope to exploit a weakened post-Bly Lions secondary with a rejuvenated Moss.  Furthermore, how long would Jon Kitna be able to keep the seat warm for Russell, 5-6 games?  

In the modern, salary cap-era NFL, it has become a lot harder for teams to trade down in the draft than it was in the past.   The cost of signing a player who ultimately fails, added with the lost draft picks, makes it very hard for teams to make a strong commitment to move up the draft board.   I would ultimately be happier if the Lions chose to take a player like DE Gaines Adams or MLB Patrick Willis out of their perceived draft slot, than have them take a player like Russell, Quinn, Peterson, or Thomas who all may have little chance of contributing immediately.

Here is an early optimistic draft scenario for the Lions, without trading McCown:

1. Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell

2. Bucs (from Lions) WR Calvin Johnson

3. Browns QB Brady Quinn

4. Cards (from Bucs, from Lions) OT Joe Thomas

5. Lions (from Cards) MLB Patrick Willis

Since the MLB position is so scarce, I have faith that the Lions could find additional help at CB and DE later in the draft, if necessary.