Quinn Influenced Benchmarks (QIB) — the study of Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn’s draft tendencies — has been a staple of Lions Wire draft coverage for the last few seasons, but with the COVID pandemic canceling Pro Days, the process and available data took a massive hit.
As the world adjusts to the changing environment, so does QIB.
Here, we take a slightly modified look at the athletic markers produced by the offensive players in Lions 2020 Draft/UDFA class and apply practical reasoning to predict any changes in the Lions approach to player acquisition or scheme changes for the upcoming season.
Lions add speed to an explosive backfield
D’Andre Swift (2nd) and Jason Huntley (5th)
Explosivity (Burst rate) has always been a targeted trait at running back but in a trend that started last year with Ty Johnson, Quinn has begun adding a speed element (40-yard-dash) into the equation.
Note: NFL Top-30 RB 40 y/d average is 4.54, while a burst score of 120 is above-average and 130 is elite.
| Height | Weight | 40 | Burst rate | |
| Kerryon Johnson | 5114 | 213 | 4.52 | 131.00 |
| D’Andre Swift | 5082 | 212 | 4.48 | 120.85 |
| Bo Scarbrough | 6013 | 228 | 4.52 | 132.50 |
| Ty Johnson | 5106 | 213 | 4.4 | 120.15 |
| Jason Huntley | 5084 | 182 | 4.4 | 132.65 |
| Wes Hills | 6005 | 209 | N/A | N/A |
QIB has previously factored in running backs agility scores (3-cone and short shuttle) but only K. Johnson and Huntly tested in this area, and their scores were just average, which indicates a decreased level of importance on the QIB scale.
Athletically, the Lions were already above average at the position, but with the six backs on the roster, the Lions have two with every-down potential (K. Johnson and Swift), two speed/kick returner options (T. Johnson and Huntley), and two power-based runners (Scarbrough and Hills). Add in the fact that K. Johnson, Swift, and Huntley are above-average pass-catchers, and the Lions have a variety of backs who can play in multiple situations.
While the Lions recent run scheme has focused on inside zone runs, both rookie backs have the speed to get to the edge, and home-run potential, which should open up the types of blocking schemes available to offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.
Blocking scheme expansion
Jonah Jackson (3rd) and Logan Sternberg (4th)
When Quinn was hired in 2016, then-coach Jim Caldwell’s offensive scheme ran mostly bland zone concepts (thanks, Ron Prince) and looked for offensive linemen who were highly athletic. That draft, Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Joe Dahl set the bar for QIB, targeting 10-yard-split, vertical jump, broad jump, and short shuttle as athletic markers.
No offensive linemen were drafted in 2017, but 2018 saw Quinn draft Frank Ragnow (who passed all benchmarks fully) and Tyrell Crosby, who passed the jumps and shuttle, but his 10 y/s was significantly lower. That same season, now-coach Matt Patricia brought in Jeff Davidson to coach the offensive line and he took a more balanced approach, adding in power and gap concepts.
The only offensive lineman added in 2019 was undrafted free agent Beau Benzschawel, which athletically was unusual, as he missed every mark, save the short shuttle. While the Lions tried to maintain balanced run schemes last year, when the Lions tried to establish the run, they still defaulted to inside zone concepts.
Entering the 2020 season, several changes appear to be afoot. Davidson has stepped away from the NFL and his protegé Hank Fraley was promoted to take over as offensive line coach. Glasgow left in free agency and he was replaced by two rookie offensive lineman in Jonah Jackson and Logan Stenberg. Athletically, they are vastly different from Glasgow — matching up closer to Benschawel — and it could once again be pointing towards a possible shift in scheme.
To get a better idea of what the Lions saw in Jackson and Stenberg, let’s look at a modified Venn diagram of their skills set:
| Jonah Jackson | Jackson and Stenberg | Logan Stenberg |
| Right guard/center | Left guard | Left guard only |
| Intelligent | ||
| Great pass pro sets | Plus run blocker | |
| Great balance/Plays under control | ||
| Technician | Aggressive | Blue Collar |
| First to engage punch/locks on DT | ||
| Lacks power | Doesn’t get overpowered | Loads of power |
| Can pull to next level | Neither are graceful movers | Struggles in space |
| Able to handle switches | ||
| Outside Zone | Power/Inside Zone/Gap concepts |
The shift from Caldwell to Patricia in 2018 not only saw a shift in blocking concepts but apparently the types of offensive linemen targeted as well. Gone are the athletes who win with finesse, and coming in are aggressive balanced blockers who can operate in multiple schemes.
Like with the switchover from Prince to Davidson, there are expected to be new strategies that come with Fraley. And based on the types of offensive linemen — and running backs — added this offseason, the Lions run game appears to be in line for a scheme expansion.
Getting bigger in the slot
WR Quintez Cephus (5th) and TE Hunter Bryant (UDFA)
In 2019, the Lions receiving core had several appealing options: a true number one receiver in Kenny Golladay, an experienced veteran in Marvin Jones, a quick slot option in Danny Amendola, a pure speed vertical threat in Marvin Hall, a balanced but inexperienced tight end in T.J. Hockenson, and a veteran tight end in Jesse James.
Not only do the Lions return all six pass-catchers but they added two more players from this draft class — Quintez Cephus and Hunter Bryant — that offer skill sets that were not on the roster. Because the Lions haven’t had these roles, for the most part, they don’t meet the QIB standards — expect in one glaring area.
Cephus lacks the agility of the other Lions receivers but his Burst Score (127.45) is second-highest among the receiving group, behind only Hall. Cephus’ ability to explode off the line-of-scrimmage and use his physicality to outmuscle defensive backs makes him a natural big slot receiver — a role the Lions have lacked since Anquan Boldin.
Bryant’s standout measurable is his 3-cone (measures ability to change directions at high speeds) where he ran it in 7.08 seconds, second among Lions tight ends behind only Hockenson (7.02), and was fourth fastest in the 2020 draft class. Bryant’s spot isn’t as guaranteed but he offers the Lions a pure move tight end who can also threaten the seam and is a monster to bring after the catch.
Because both players each have valuable and unique skills, it will give them a significant advantage over others at their positions.
