Morning Lions Links for Wednesday 10-23-19

Articles:

TWENTYMAN: Where Lions stand at safety following Diggs trade:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-where-lions-stand-at-safety-following-diggs-trade

10 takeaways from Bevell and Pasqualoni:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/10-takeaways-from-bevell-pasqualoni-x4318

Where the Lions go from here without Kerryon Johnson:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/where-the-lions-go-from-here-without-kerryon-johnson.html

Why the Detroit Lions traded Quandre Diggs:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/why-the-detroit-lions-traded-quandre-diggs.html

Lions players react to Detroit trading team captain Quandre Diggs to Seattle for fifth-rounder:  https://www.mlive.com/sports/g66l-2019/10/91b82b05473950/lions-players-react-to-detroit-trading-team-captain-quandre-diggs-to-seattle-for-fifthrounder.html

Detroit Lions trade Quandre Diggs to Seahawks for fifth-round pick:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/detroit-lions-trade-quandre-diggs-to-seahawks-for-fifth-round-pick.html

Lions’ Kerryon Johnson headed for injured reserve after undergoing knee procedure:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/lions-kerryon-johnson-headed-for-injured-reserve-after-undergoing-knee-procedure.html

Detroit Lions rank dead last, by a lot, in pass rush win rate:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/detroit-lions-rank-dead-last-by-a-lot-in-pass-rush-win-rate.html

Giants stick with QB Daniel Jones for matchup in Detroit as rookie struggles with turnovers:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/giants-stick-with-qb-daniel-jones-for-matchup-in-detroit-as-rookie-struggles-with-turnovers.html

After just 6 games, the Lions’ playoff hopes are already on life support:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/10/after-just-6-games-the-lions-playoff-hopes-are-already-on-life-support.html

McKissic 'very confident' in Lions run game even if Kerryon is out:   https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/21/detroit-lions-running-backs-ty-johnson-jd-mckissic/4058724002/

Here's why Lions' Trey Flowers has been so ineffective:   https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/22/detroit-lions-film-review-trey-flowers/4064997002/

Make it stop! Black Tuesday engulfs Lions, Pistons, Spartans with awful news:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnists/jeff-seidel/2019/10/22/detroit-lions-pistons-michigan-state-spartans/2451360001/

Lions film review: Five observations vs. Vikings:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/22/detroit-lions-film-review-five-observations-vs-vikings/4063921002/

Rogers: Diggs trade made sense to Lions even if fan base isn't sold on it:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/22/rogers-quandre-diggs-trade-made-sense-detroit-lions-even-if-fan-base-isnt-sold/2451684001/

Lions' Harrison battling through most frustrating stretch of his career:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/21/lions-defensive-lineman-damon-snacks-harrison-sees-sharp-dropoff-tackles/4058718002/

Pat Caputo - Bob Quinn, Matt Patricia continue to underwhelm leading Lions:   https://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/pat-caputo---bob-quinn-matt-patricia-continue-to/article_499a8370-f53d-11e9-8d66-db54b976180e.html

How much influence does Paul Pasqualoni have on the Lions defense?:   https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/22/how-much-influence-does-paul-pasqualoni-have-on-the-lions-defense/

Options to replace Kerryon Johnson during his injury absence:   https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/22/options-to-replace-kerryon-johnson-during-his-injury-absence/

Quandre Diggs says goodbye to Lions fans:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/22/quandre-diggs-says-goodbye-to-lions-fans/

NFL Rookie Power Rankings Week 8: Nick Bosa continues to lead impressive group of rookie pass rushers (14. Hockenson:  Hockenson's stats could be even better but he has not capitalized on some opportunities. The saving grace for the rookie tight end is that he also contributes as a blocker. Stats: 18 receptions for 219 yards, two touchdowns):   https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-rookie-power-rankings-week-8-nick-bosa-continues-to-lead-impressive-group-of-rookie-pass-rushers/

Barnwell's 2019 NFL trade grades: Tracking every deadline deal (DET trades CB Quandre Diggs to SEA - Detroit Lions get: 2020 fifth-round pick.  Seattle Seahawks get: S Quandre Diggs, 2021 seventh-round pick.  Lions grade: D+.  Seahawks grade: B.  This is a surprising, out-of-nowhere deal for a Lions team that likely still fancies itself a contender at 2-3-1. Quandre Diggs was starting at safety as recently as this past weekend, when he played 55 of 71 snaps during the Lions' 42-30 loss to the Vikings. Diggs was entering the first season of a three-year, $18.6 million extension he signed in September 2018, but there is no guaranteed money on his contract after this season.  Diggs started his career as a slot cornerback, but the Lions moved him to safety after Tavon Wilson went down injured last season, and he impressed in limited time. They kept Diggs at safety this season after cutting longtime starter Glover Quin, but it seems that they were not impressed by his performance. It might be worth noting that his last defensive snap with the team came on Kyle Rudolph's touchdown catch in the fourth quarter, and Diggs didn't appear to make much of a tackle attempt on the tight end at the goal line. I have to wonder if that was the last straw for coach Matt Patricia. The Lions will presumably give Wilson a larger role, given that the former Patriots safety was playing just under 40% of the defensive snaps this season. Wilson filled in for Diggs when the starter missed two games earlier this season; Diggs had basically been an every-down safety to that point. Wilson, who took a pay cut to stay with the team this season, has always profiled better as a true strong safety.  Diggs' theoretical range as either a free safety or a strong safety likely appealed to the Seahawks, who need help at both spots. Both strong safeties Bradley McDougald and Lano Hill have struggled with injuries, and Tedric Thompson has had a wildly inconsistent season at free safety. Seattle started rookie second-rounder Marquise Blair alongside Thompson during Sunday's loss to the Ravens. Blair had played just 12 defensive snaps before taking 100% of the snaps against Baltimore.  After years of wiping away deep passes with superstar safety Earl Thomas, Seattle has been susceptible to deep throws this season. Against passes traveling 16 or more yards in the air, the Seahawks rank 29th in passer rating (122.3) and 27th in Total QBR (97.7). Lamar Jackson was 2-of-3 for 83 yards on those throws Sunday, and the one incompletion was a would-be touchdown that Mark Andrews dropped.   The Seahawks will try Diggs alongside Thompson for the time being before getting McDougald back. In Pete Carroll, the Seahawks have a coach with an affinity for both challenging pass interference calls and developing defensive backs, which should tell you how great he is at the latter. There's a chance the Seahawks turn Diggs into a very valuable safety in the long-term, and they don't run much risk while adding a warm body in the short-term.  After Detroit paid Diggs $6.5 million in bonuses the past two years, the Seahawks will be on the hook for only about $1.6 million in prorated base salary and $62,500 in per-game roster bonuses over the remainder of the season. That seems well worth a fifth-round pick, let alone getting a seventh-rounder in 2021 as part of the swap. If you think my grade for the Lions is harsh, well, you can ask star Detroit cornerback Darius Slay what he thinks.):   https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27897346/barnwell-2019-nfl-trade-grades-tracking-every-deadline-deal

NFL Trade Grades (Seahawks acquire S Quandre Diggs, 2021 seventh-round pick from Lions for 2020 fifth-round pick:  This isn't a blockbuster deal by any means, but it's a trade that makes sense for both sides. The Seahawks have endured some major issues at safety, so they found a short-term solution in exchange for a swap of fifth- and seventh-round picks across two drafts.  Diggs is a solid player. He's dealt with multiple injuries this year, but he performed well in 2018. If he can get healthy, he'll provide the Seahawks with a much-needed upgrade at safety. Seattle barely surrendered anything for him, so this is a quality move.  As for the Lions, they have a couple of young safeties in Will Harris and Tracy Walker, making Diggs expendable. It's nice that they at least got something for him, as he wasn't being very productive this year because of his injuries.  Grade for Seahawks - A-.  Grade for Lions - A-):   http://walterfootball.com/nfltrades.php

Updated 2020 draft order: Three QB-needy teams in top six (12. Lions:  Detroit's vulnerabilities in the secondary and on the offensive line have been on display in consecutive losses to division foes. Matt Patricia has to tighten things up and beat the Giants to keep the season from getting away from the Lions.):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001068444/article/2020-nfl-draft-order-jets-no-5-giants-browns-in-top-10

2020 Draft:

College Football Week 8: 2020 NFL Draft Scouting Notes:  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-college-football-week-8-2020-nfl-draft-scouting-notes

PFF College Football Heisman Watch after Week 8:   https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-heisman-watch-after-week-8-2019

2020 Draft WR Watch: Hamler is a riser:   https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-draft-wide-receivers-watch-minnesotas-tyler-johnson-rising-keep-an-eye-on-penn-states-k-j-hamler/

RB Watch: Sermon absent, Moss impresses:  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-draft-rb-watch-sermons-mysterious-disappearance-moss-back-in-a-big-way/

2020 NFL Draft Stock - Week 8 (10-23-19):   http://walterfootball.com/draft2020stock_08.php

Six From Saturday: Trevor Lawrence Leveling Off:  https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/10/22/trevor-lawrence-clemson-justin-fields-ohio-state-2021-nfl-draft

QB KLASSROOM: TEXAS A&M QB KELLEN MOND:  https://www.rotoworld.com/article/qb-klassroom/qb-klassroom-texas-am-qb-kellen-mond

Video:

Sights and Sounds: Week 7 vs Minnesota:   https://www.detroitlions.com/video/sights-and-sounds-week-7-vs-minnesota

Video: why the Lions traded Quandre Diggs and what might be next:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/22/video-lions-trade-quandre-diggs-detroit-lions-trade-kerryon-johnson-injury/