Detroit Lions: 7-Round 2019 NFL mock draft, version 4.0
By Zac Snyder
Maybe the Lions choose to not draft a quarterback for the second year in a row, but that would go against what Bob Quinn has said about the position in the past. That would make for a crowded backup quarterback picture with Tom Savage and Connor Cook already joining the team this offseason, but Quinn is on record as believing it makes good sense to draft quarterbacks with some regularity.
Rypien may remind many Lions fans of another former Boise State quarterback turned Lion, Kellen Moore. Like Moore, Rypien lacks what is desired at quarterback physically but tries to make up for it with accuracy and timing.
The Rypien name may be familiar to NFL fans as Brett is the nephew of former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien, whose Washington Redskins defeated the Lions in the NFC Championship Game on their way to winning Super Bowl XXVI.
I’ve used some quotes from Lance Zierlein’s profiles of other NFL Draft prospects but none sums up why the Lions could have interest in a particular player than the one for Notre Dame linebacker Drue Tranquill:
"Tranquill is a strong, tough football player who loves to play the game. What evaluators are going to see is a player who has below-average size, recovery athleticism, and man cover skills. He Might not get much bigger so he needs to gain the attention of general managers with explosive testing and then prove he can shine as a special teamer in order to secure a roster spot and make a living as a backup linebacker."
Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn are consistently stressing that they are looking for players who love football so it is notable to see that pointed out near the front of Zierlein’s assessment. He checks that box. Then comes the point about the need for testing out athletically. He checked that box as well. With those two things taken care of, the Lions could give him a shot to prove himself on special teams and there is a good chance he checks that box as well.