Odds Lions Trade Up to Draft QB C.J. Stroud

Read more on the odds of the Detroit Lions trading up to select Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud.

There is no questioning the fact that the starting quarterback job in Detroit is Jared Goff’s, headed into the 2023 season.

Yet, there is growing speculation that the franchise could move up from the No. 6 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to select a dynamic, potential game-changing signal-caller: Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud.

The Lions have a pre-draft visit scheduled with the former Buckeyes quarterback for this week. Yet, it is almost a guarantee that he will be off the board by the time Detroit’s inaugural first-round selection rolls around at No. 6 overall.

In fact, there is currently a chance that the Carolina Panthers select the Ohio State product with the No. 1 overall pick.

At the very least, it is widely believed that the Panthers will take a quarterback with the selection. And, if they opt not to draft Stroud, it appears that Alabama’s Bryce Young will be the pick.

In such a scenario where Young is the No. 1 overall selection, it is feasible that Stroud could still be available when the Arizona Cardinals go to the podium to make their pick at No. 3 overall. This above scenario obviously also factors in the Houston Texans going with Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. – or another player without the last name of Stroud – with the No. 2 pick.

If both dominoes fall, it would set the stage for Lions general manager Brad Holmes facilitating a draft-night trade with the Cardinals to select the ex-Buckeyes signal-caller and two-time Heisman Trophy finalist.

Adam Cairns, Columbus Dispatch, USA TODAY NETWORK

97.1 The Ticket’s Mike Valenti, the popular co-host of “The Mike Valenti Show With Rico,” expressed Wednesday that while he wouldn’t be the biggest fan of Holmes making the move, he’d have to place his trust in the third-year general manager.

“While it isn’t what I want and I wouldn’t be thrilled, I have said to you, my audience, I trust Brad Holmes,” Valenti said. “I like that with these high draft picks, when he identifies an elite player, he goes and gets them. I saluted what he did with Jameson Williams (trading up to draft Williams at No. 12 overall in the 2022 draft). I still do. So, if I say I trust him, and he’s got a grade on Stroud that he’s the best player in the draft, I have to trust him. I have to trust that he believes he’s just drafted a superstar quarterback.”

Stroud showcased serious signs of being a high-impact passer during his time at Ohio State. He led the nation in pass efficiency rating in 2022 (177.7), and was the first quarterback in Big Ten history to have back-to-back seasons with 30 or more touchdown passes.

Specifically in 2022, Stroud threw for 41 touchdowns and 3,688 yards, while tossing just six interceptions. Additionally, for his efforts the past two seasons, he became both a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and Quarterback of the Year.

“Do I believe Stroud’s a superstar? No. Do I want a quarterback? Also, no,” Valenti continued. “But, what I won’t do is yell and scream, because I have to show the GM a little grace, considering he is crushing his job duties. He’s got this team as the betting favorite in the NFC North. They revamped their secondary pre-draft. So, if they do something that I don’t want, I can say that I don’t want it, that I don’t love it. But, I’m not going to crucify it, because look, you’re one year away from either paying Goff or getting rid of him. And, if you don’t believe Goff’s a star, which you guys know I think more of him than many of you do, I can’t kill this.”

At this present juncture, I’m part of the camp that believes the Lions should hold on to the No. 6 pick and hope that Anderson or Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter falls into their laps. And, if neither is available at No. 6, I’d also be content with the organization selecting either Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez or Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon.

As for how likely the scenario is where Holmes & Co. trade up to draft Stroud at No. 3, I’m going to currently place the odds at 25 percent.