INDIANAPOLIS – No matter what the fan reaction might be, the possibility of drafting a tight end with the eighth pick in April is firmly in play for the Detroit Lions.
General manager Bob Quinn has heard what has been mostly negative reaction by fans to mock drafts speculating that the Lions will take tight end T.J. Hockenson of Iowa in the first round.
And while Quinn appreciates the passion of Lions fans, he won't be influenced by it – good and bad – when it comes to making draft picks.
The bottom line: He blocks out the noise for all picks at all positions.
Quinn chuckled when asked about it Wednesday morning at the annual Combine.
View photos from general managers and head coaches speaking to the media on Day 1 of the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
NFL Scouting Combine podium on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions executive vice president & general manager Bob Quinn talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Jacksonville Jaguars general manager David Caldwell speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oakland Raiders general manager Mike Mayock speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati Bengals general manager Duke Tobin speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
New York Jets head coach Adam Gase speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Denver Broncos general manager John Elway speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cleveland Browns General Manger John Dorsey speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. Purdue won 73-56. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. Purdue won 73-56. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Houston Texans general manager Brian Gaine speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
"In all due respect to our fans -- and I have a great respect for them -- I can't really listen to all that stuff," he said. "If I listened to all that stuff out there, I'd be driving myself crazy."
The 2019 draft is projected to be deep in tight ends, with Hockenson at the top of a group that could produce three first-round picks. Irv Smith of Alabama and Noah Fant, a teammate of Hockenson's at Iowa, also are first-round candidates.
As a two-year player at Iowa, Hockenson had a big 2018 season – 46 catches for 717 yards, six touchdowns and an average of 15.6 yards per catch. At 6-5 and 250 pounds, he was a strong blocker to go with his receiving skills, making him an even more desirable draft candidate.
There is no doubting that tight end is a position the Lions must fill with multiple players, either in the draft or by signing veteran free agents.
The anti-tight end reaction by Lions fans is based largely on their perception that the last two tight ends drafted by the Lions in the first round failed to live up to their draft status. Brandon Pettigrew was drafted 20th overall in 2009, and Eric Ebron was drafted 10th overall in 2014.
Pettigrew played seven pro seasons, all with the Lions, before retiring after the 2015 season because of injuries.
Pettigrew was an underrated go-to security blanket for Matthew Stafford early in his career. Pettigrew had 301 career catches, with 254 in a four-year span (2010-13) before injuries set in. That's an average of 63.5 catches per season. Pettigrew was a strong blocker but suffered with occasional dropped passes.
Ebron had 186 catches in his four seasons as a Lion – an average of 46.5 per season. Unlike Pettigrew, Ebron was not a strong blocker, and he had a high drop rate all four seasons.
He also suffered from comparisons to Pro Bowl and All-Pro stars drafted after him – among them Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (12th) and Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (13th).
The Lions picked up Ebron's fifth-year option in 2017, but later released him in March of 2018. He signed with the Colts and had the best season of his career – 66 catches, 13 receiving touchdowns and one rushing, and his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Ebron exceeded the combined production of 43 catches and one TD by the three veteran tight ends carried by the Lions for the full 2018 season.
Levine Toilolo had 22 catches and the only TD – on a pass from Matt Prater on a fake field goal in the final game of the season.
Michael Roberts, a 2017 fourth-round draft pick, struggled with inconsistency for a second straight year and wound up with nine catches and three TDs. Luke Willson had 13 catches and 6.7 yards per catch.
Lions head coach Matt Patricia understands the matchup problems quality tight ends can cause from his tenure as defensive coordinator of the Patriots – and also from seeing first-hand the impact created by Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, one of the most dominant players ever at the position.
"Tight ends are definitely part of the game right now," Patricia said at the Combine. "It makes it really difficult to try to game plan against guys who can do multiple things – who have a certain skill set that you have to defend against one way or another."
One way or another, the Lions have to build the position.
It might be in the draft.
