If you’re looking to discover who the Detroit Lions may draft from the 2019 NFL draft class, this list is an encompassing look at every player that qualifies for the Quinn Influenced Benchmarks (QIB) system.
Each year at Lions Wire we examine the athletic testing scores of the upcoming NFL draft class, looking for prospects who qualify for our QIB system. In its simplest form, QIB is designed to identify common athletic characteristics Lions general manager Bob Quinn has previously targeted at each position, with the focus on finding similarly athletic prospects that could be offseason targets for the Lions.
When exploring the player charts, each section has the qualifying players ranked in order on my personal draft board and the measured drills that apply to the position group.
The darker the shade of blue the better the player qualifies for QIB.
If a player or their measurement is not highlighted, it is because they fall short of the QIB requirements.
The last page of this article will have a printable overview of every QIB qualifier from the 2018 NFL Draft class.
QIB article: none
Quarterback
Target rounds: Anywhere on Day 3 or beyond
Top Target: Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
Realistic Target: Tyree Jackson, Buffalo
Sleeper Option: Drew Lock, Missouri on Day 2
The Lions don’t appear settled at the quarterback position but where they take one will likely come down to the value on the board. It’s highly unlikely the take one in the first 100 picks unless Lock falls. If he doesn’t, they will likely wait for the right spot and I wouldn’t be surprised if they settled on a player post-draft in the undrafted free agency pool.
Article: QIB qualifiers at running back
Running Back
Target rounds: Day 3
Top Target: Darrell Henderson, Memphis
Realistic Target: Devine Ozigbo, Nebraska
Sleeper Option: Darrin Hall, Pittsburgh
Despite adding C.J. Anderson to complement Kerryon Johnson, the Lions would be best served by adding another back who has the upside to step into a contributing role if an injury occurs and as depth for the future.
My personal preference would be to add a speed element to the backfield, as it appears to be the only missing piece, but this class is lacking speed options and finding the right fit could be tricky. If Henderson falls to the fourth round, the Lions should run to the podium as he would be the perfect big-play addition.
Article: QIB qualifiers at wide receiver
Wide Receiver
Target rounds: Every round
Top Target: Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Realistic Target: Jakobi Meyers, NC State
Sleeper Option: John Ursa, Hawaii
The Lions need depth for the future and if they can add a contributor for this season, all the better. If Samuel falls to pick 43 it’s a no-brainer addition — I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Lions traded up for him ala Kerryon Johnson last season — but they may end up addressing more pressing needs on Day 2.
Article: QIB qualifiers at tight end
Tight end
Target rounds: Rounds 1-4
Top Target: T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
Realistic Target: Josh Oliver, San Jose State
Sleeper Option: Foster Moreau, LSU
The Lions could use a starter at the “Move” tight end position to pair with newly acquired Jesse James, and this class has lots of options in the first four rounds. Adding a tight end who can thrive from the slot would also lessen the need for a receiver, and in turn, free up options for Quinn.
If the Lions don’t add a tight end in the first four rounds it would be a surprise.
Article: QIB qualifiers on the offensive line
Offensive line
Target rounds: Rounds 1-5
Top Target: Jonah Williams, Alabama
Realistic Target: Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
Sleeper Option: Ryan Bates, Penn State
The chances Quinn and coach Matt Patricia feel comfortable at right guard is pretty slim in my mind — unless they think Tyrell Crosby is ready to take over.
The key here is how important is versatility in their minds for this spot? Do they want a guard only? If yes, then they’ll probably target Chris Lindstrom. But history shows us versatility is paramount for Quinn, especially in the trenches, and that’s why Jonah Williams is so appealing to the Lions.
If they trade out of the eight spot, expect Williams to be the target as he can step in immediately at right guard and gives the organization insurance if they don’t retain Taylor Decker once his rookie contract expires.
Article: QIB qualifiers on the interior defensive line
Interior defensive line
Target rounds: Every round
Top Target: Ed Oliver, Houston
Realistic Target: L.J. Collier, TCU
Sleeper Option: Daylon Mack, Texas A&M
Despite being loaded on the interior defensive line, the Lions won’t shy away from adding to this unit. The talent at the top of this draft will be very appealing to the Lions and if Ed Oliver is there at pick No. 8, I think the Lions should pull the trigger, but I am not so sure the team feels the same way.
If the Lions don’t have a pass catcher or corner they like at pick No. 43 in the second round, L.J. Collier is definitely in play. The same could be said for Charles Omenihu in the third round, though I could also see the team gamble he is there in the fourth.
Don’t sleep on the Lions adding Daylon Mack in this range too, as he is the closest prospect to resemble Damon Harrison in this class and would fit like a glove in this scheme.
Article: QIB qualifier EDGE rushers
EDGE Rusher
Target rounds: Every round
Top Target: Josh Allen, Kentucky
Realistic Target: Emeke Egbule, Houston
Sleeper Option: Derick Roberson, Sam Houston State
Allen is the dream pick and if he slides to pick No. 8 this is a no brainer move. The closer we get to draft night the more rumors swirl that he could fall, and while crazier things have happened on previous draft nights, I am not holding my breath.
Emeke Egbule is one of my favorite prospects for this scheme because he is primarily an off-the-ball linebacker who I believe has JACK linebacker upside. If the Lions don’t add a linebacker early, I would feel comfortable taking Egbule with any pick on Day 3 — and could talk myself into liking him in Round 3.
Article: QIB qualifier Off-the-ball linebacker
Off-the-ball linebacker
Target rounds: Round 1 or mid-day 3
Top Target: Devin Bush, Michigan
Realistic Target: Devin Bush, Michigan
Sleeper Option: Sione Takitaki, BYU
If Josh Allen is off the board before the Lions are on the clock in the first round, and they plan on picking at pick No. 8, my money would be on them selecting Devin Bush.
If they select him, Bush has said the Lions plan on using him at MIKE which would mean a shift in roles for Jarrad Davis moving him into an off-the-ball/pass rushing role similar to how Patricia used Dont’a Hightower when he was with the New England Patriots. Davis would roam all over the field and allow coaches to put him in the best position possible to utilize his strengths. Meanwhile, Bush thrives in the one area Davis struggles, pass coverage — though he’s also an excellent pass rusher in his own right.
By adding Bush, the Lions will make their front-6 truly multiple. They will be able to interchange Davis and Bush, deploy Devon Kennard off the edge and can still rely on Christian Jones to cycle through the two off-the-ball spots. With a defensive that thrives on matchups and deception, Bush gives them the range to do that at a high level.
Article: QIB qualifier cornerbacks
Cornerback
Target rounds: Rounds 2-4
Top Target: Byron Murphy, Washington
Realistic Target: David Long, Michigan
Sleeper Option: Jimmy Moreland, James Madison
If the Lions trade back in the first round, it’s possible Byron Murphy is in play, but the strength of this position group is on Day 2 and this seems like a likely target range for the Lions if they are serious about upgrading the outside cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay.
When it comes to cornerbacks, the most important drill is the 3-cone and the Lions target players who can break the 6.92-second mark. There are several players who achieved that in this class but the fastest time by far was David Long’s 6.45-seconds. It’s very possible he is high on their Day 2 board and could be in play at pick No. 43 in the second round.
The Lions have shown a lot of interest in the bigger corners in this class, so players like Justin Layne and Amani Oruwariye should also be in play in the second round, but don’t sleep on Jimmy Moreland’s playmaking skills drawing the Lions’ attention on Day 3.
Article: QIB qualifier safeties
Safety
Target rounds: Round 3-7
Top Target: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
Realistic Target: Juan Thornhill, Virginia
Sleeper Option: Tyree Kinnel, Michigan
The Lions have been paying a lot of attention to the safeties projected to be selected in the top-100 picks, but if they don’t grab a Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Juan Thornhill, Taylor Rapp, or Darnell Savage on Day 2, expect them to wait on the position.
Final QIB Board
I made a Google Sheet printable version of this chart that includes every QIB qualifier in the 2019 draft class, and it’s available for download in the link below:
Printable 2019 QIB NFL Draft Board
Enjoy this sheet as you track players during the draft — and be sure to tune in to Lions Wire throughout, as we’ll be covering every pick and giving you everything you need to know about the newest Lions players.
