Empty the Bench

Late-night talk show hosts were said to be preparing a series of punchlines aimed at Detroit Lions GM Matt Millen as rumors swirled about the upcoming NFL draft. With his team owning the second-overall pick and gaping holes at most positions, it’s been widely speculated that Millen would prefer to trade down and amass more picks. Tom Kowalski confirmed for MLive that Millen is indeed intent on swinging a trade, and that there may be more than one in the works:

The Lions are being flooded with trade offers and there’s been some speculation out there that president Matt Millen is going to be patient because the price can only go up. But that’s not true. According to my sources, the Lions already know what they want out of that No. 2 pick and, if a team steps up to the plate right now, the Lions will pull the trigger.

What’s interesting is that there are believed to be several different targets for that No. 2 pick, from Calvin Johnson to JaMarcus Russell to Adrian Peterson to Joe Thomas. The Lions don’t have a pressing need for any of those positions so they’re willing to drop down. And here’s the kicker: the Lions, depending on how far they fall, will be willing to trade down again.

The Denver Broncos, who acquired CB Dre Bly from the Lions earlier this offseason, are said to be one of the teams interested in the #2 pick, but apparently feel the asking price is too steep at the moment. One can’t help but feel that Millen and the Lions would be best served in waiting until draft day to settle on a deal. There promises to be at least one or two teams in desperation mode who might mortgage a significant number of picks and/or players to land a Calvin Johnson, Brady Quinn, Joe Thomas, or JaMarcus Russell. The pick’s value can only go up, but with a GM like Millen calling the shots, there’s no telling what will actually transpire.

Possibly Related Content:

1. Matt Millen Still Doesn’t Know When to Shut Up (and ESPN Still Keeps Him on the Air)


2. Matt Millen is a Very Popular NFL GM


3. Matt Millen, One of the Worst GMs in the History of Professional Sports, Finally Fired


4. The Sordid Draft History of Matt Millen, or How to Build a Laughingstock in Today’s NFL


5. Redskins to “Make It Rain” Pacman Style?