When Bob Quinn was hired as general manager in January, he said that the Detroit Lions would use analytics "as a supplemental tool" in scouting.
"Watching players at practice, watching the players on film is my primary tool for evaluation," Quinn said.
Three months into his tenure with the Lions, it's clear that Quinn won't be using "Moneyball" principles to run his first NFL draft. Yes, the Lions may favor certain traits in players -- Quinn's former team, the New England Patriots, for instance, typically steered clear of drafting receivers who ran slower than a 4.5-second 40-yard dash -- but Quinn hasn't hired a Paul Depodesta for his front office (like the Cleveland Browns), and his coaches and scouts have canvassed the country, running private workouts and film sessions with prospects.