General

Lions Reportedly Shopping Second Overall Pick

Feb 23, 2010, 4:38 PM UTC

â†µâ†µJason La Canfora reported this morning that the Lions have been actively shopping their first-round pick, the second overall in the draft, in an attempt to pick up an extra three or four later selections.â†µ

â†µâ†µEven though the league is most likely entering an uncapped year, the standard rookie salary pool will continue to be in place for the 2010 NFL Draft. That said- even under the current system, a player drafted in the top two overall is never exactly a bargain. And the Lions already had to dole out big contracts to two first-round picks last year. But given all the other financial volatility surrounding the upcoming season, barring a team with an obvious need for a defensive tackle, it may be more difficult than in past years to find another franchise willing to give Detroit what it wants for that selection. â†µ

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â†µShould a trade partner fail to emerge, La Canfora reports that the Lions would be content to draft the best player available on the board, presumably either Ndamukong Suh (pictured) or the more likely available Gerald McCoy. So even though financial considerations could figure into whether the Lions can find a suitor for the second pick, it seems that their desire to make a deal is driven more by a need to stockpile talent rather than a preference to conserve money.â†µ

â†µâ†µFor what it’s worth, it’s been reported that the Rams were in talks with the Buccaneers to deal the top pick, but Rams officials have denied that any such talks have taken place. â†µ

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â†µ[UPDATE: It's being reported that the teams with the top four picks in the draft have all discussed deals to trade down.]â†µâ†µ

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This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.

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