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          NFL Nation

          Would Lions actually try to trade for Rob Gronkowski?

          Joe Amon for ESPN
          • Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff WriterApr 7, 2018, 11:30 AM
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              Michael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You can follow him via Twitter @MikeRothstein.
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          Every Saturday, we take some of your questions and answer them in a Detroit Lions mailbag. To ask questions for a future mailbag, use the hashtag #LionsMailbag on Twitter or email me at michael.rothstein@espn.com.

          Now, on to your questions.

          Andrew, it'll be one of the tighter competitions in the next few months. When the Lions drafted Teez Tabor in the second round last year, it was not so he would have immediate impact, but rather as a developmental prospect who could turn into something special (similar to what happened with Darius Slay, the team's second-round pick in 2013, minus the rookie-year benching). Tabor should be firmly in the competition to start opposite Slay along with last year's starter, Nevin Lawson, and free-agent acquisition DeShawn Shead. One of those three players should win the job. If Tabor doesn't win the job outright, I wouldn't be too concerned -- unless none of the three contenders stand out. As far as drafting, if Tabor struggles again this year and Detroit doesn't like what it has in Lawson or Shead after this season, cornerback could become a 2019 draft need. There's also the chance Tabor will end up winning the slot job, which would change things, too. This would be a big thing if it were to happen. The Lions offense with Rob Gronkowski would be a devastatingly good one and would give Matthew Stafford the best combined options of his career. There are a few things that could keep this from happening, though. First would be mutual interest -- while the Lions have a need at tight end, would Detroit be willing to part with picks it needs to fortify other positions on the team? And do the Patriots, who just moved Brandin Cooks, really want to trade Gronkowski? He's a player who is dynamic when he's on the field, but hasn't played a full 16 games since the 2011 season. He has known injury issues, turns 29 in May, reportedly has questions about how much longer he wants to play and has a $10.9 million cap hit this year and $12 million hit next year. Yes, Gronkowski would be a difference-maker on the field, but if I'm the Lions, I'm wary about giving up too much for him, considering all of those things. As always, it would depend on what type of plan general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia put together and how much they'd have to give up to get him. Joe, I think that's definitely a possible scenario -- although the order of those picks might depend on who falls where in each round (and what trade options might be available). Detroit's main needs are at defensive end, defensive tackle, running back, interior offensive line and tight end. As far as the third round, finding starters is plausible. Four of the Lions' last five third-rounders have been successes (or are trending that way) with receiver Kenny Golladay (2017) and offensive linemen Graham Glasgow (2016), Travis Swanson (2014) and Larry Warford (2013). The only third-rounder that didn't work out was defensive back Alex Carter. In other words, the Lions should expect their third round pick to be a contributor -- potentially early. There's always a chance the Lions won't go this route if different players fall to them, but it would be surprising if the Lions didn't take a running back during the first two days of the draft. It's a deep running back class and the Lions have a clear need. So yeah, I would expect it to happen. If LeGarrette Blount ends up as the team's lead running back, that could be an issue. Blount rushed for more than 700 yards in each of the last three seasons, including a 1,161-yard campaign in 2016. But 2016 was only the second time in his career he had more than 200 carries in a season (the other coming his rookie year in Tampa Bay). So Blount would likely be best used in a time-share. If Blount is the clear No. 1 back for most of the season, then one of three things happened: The Lions didn't draft well for the position (again), injuries hurt the position group (again) or Blount had more left as a rusher than most people anticipated.

          Colin McLintock asks via email: Keeping the player's skill and fit into the Lions scheme in mind, would you rather have Harold Landry or Marcus Davenport? Arden Key or Sam Hubbard? Maurice Hurst, Da'Ron Payne or Taven Bryan? Will Hernandez or Isaiah Wynn? James Daniels or Billy Price? Nick Chubb or Rashaad Penny?

          Landry or Davenport: Landry. I think he offers more flexibility, which will fit with what Patricia wants to do. But I like both players a lot.

          Key or Hubbard: Hubbard. While Key might be the more talented player, I would really want to do my homework on him, considering there have been injury and weight questions in his past.

          Hurst, Payne or Bryan: Payne. These three feel like a coin flip of sorts, but Payne has experience with his position coach and A'Shawn Robinson. That would be the tiebreaker for me. Hurst, while cleared by doctors, would concern me as a first-rounder. In the second round, though, I'd take him in an instant.

          Hernandez or Wynn: Wynn. Both players should be good, though.

          Daniels or Price: Price. He has the potential to be special and can fill the guard or center spot.

          Chubb or Penny: No opinion. I like both players, although if you're asking about a running back that I think fits best for the Lions (that isn't Saquon Barkley or Derrius Guice), I would lean toward Sony Michel. All three have potential be really good.