Report: Lions tried to trade up to No. 4 with Falcons for Chase

The Detroit Lions attempted a major move to get new quarterback Jared Goff a big-time weapon when the NFL draft begins Thursday.

The Lions coveted former LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and explored acquiring the Atlanta Falcons' No. 4 overall pick to secure him, but Detroit opted against trading up as Atlanta's "asking price was too high," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano report.

Wide receiver is arguably Detroit's biggest need after allowing Kenny Golladay to hit free agency and sign with the New York Giants. The Lions added Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman but are severely lacking youth at the position. They currently hold the No. 7 pick in the draft.

It was reported earlier in April that Atlanta was open to trading the No. 4 selection.

Atlanta owner Arthur Blank pushed the idea of drafting a successor to Matt Ryan with the pick earlier in the offseason, according to Fowler and Graziano.

But with new coach Arthur Smith and new general manager Terry Fontenot reportedly looking to build an immediate contender around the veteran quarterback, the team is expected to take tight end Kyle Pitts at No. 4 if it can't get a "major haul" to move down, according to Fowler and Graziano.