As the Brad Holmes-Dan Campbell regime has taken shape and become established, it has gotten more difficult to write these posts. My love for the NFL Draft is still there. It’s most of the content I consume…but my trust in the Lions has grown. It sounds odd to say, especially growing up in the era that I did, but I trust them implicitly. Sure, they make mistakes and they’re not infallible (that trade up for Brodric Martin is not looking great). But their success and the way they have built this team gives me complete faith in the current crew. In the past, the NFL Draft was the Lions Super Bowl. And the picks were so important and in such premium spots, it was imperative they do a good job. You draw up a plan for them, you scout for them and you say “hey, take this guy, he’s awesome”…and then they go ahead and do something stupid like draft Eric Ebron. You felt like you had to have a hand on the steering wheel to keep them from crashing the car (and they still crashed it). That’s not to say I don’t have an opinion on what the Lions do (I always have an opinion)…but I’m more open minded with what they’re doing and trust their plan more. In the past, it was almost automatic rejection if they did not do what you wanted because they almost always made a mistake. There is still plenty of discourse about what the Lions are going to do and what their perceived needs are, but Holmes is going to take football players and typically go best player available. His track record really speaks for itself at this point and I am excited for the draft, but not nervous. It’s a calm excitement. A want to see the new players/pieces they’re adding to an extremely strong roster and foundation but not nervous that they might mess it up. Truthfully, the end of that for me was when they ended up with Brian Branch in the second round. I was so mad about the Jack Campbell pick at the time, I desperately wanted Branch at 18. And I was continually salty until they ended up trading up for Branch in the second round. That essentially made me feel like I can take my hands off the wheel and stop being such a helicopter parent. The Lions are all grown up now. They have their own house, a wife, a family and they can be responsible. And that’s a beautiful thing.
We’re going to try to be efficient with this post. After espousing so much praise, I do not think we need to do a full positional rundown. So what are the key spots the Lions need to address in the NFL Draft? Interior offensive line, EDGE, wide receiver, safety and corner.
I anticipate Christian Mahogany will be a starter for the Lions this year, but with Frank Ragnow’s age, it’s never to early to start planning on a succession plan at center. And if you can upgrade Graham Glasgow, then you should do it. Glasgow’s versatility makes him extremely valuable to the active 53 man roster but that does not mean he needs to be an every down starter. I would expect them to address the interior OL with one of their first 3 picks.
I also expect them to draft two EDGE rushers. I would say that I would expect one early and one late, but after the Lions went Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw back-to-back, it is safe to say that all options are on the table. The Lions struggled down the stretch with injuries at the passing rushing spots and Holmes lamented how difficult it was to trade for a pass rusher at the trade deadline. I think the best way to adjust this is to overcompensate and get overweight at the spot. You cannot trust Marcus Davenport to stay healthy so it is time to load up. Plus, Holmes has mentioned wanting Josh Paschal to rush from the interior…reading the tea leaves tells me there will be two pass rushers picked this time around.
The wide receiver position is one that needs to be addressed in a couple different ways. One, they need a big bodied X to replace Tim Patrick at some point. And two, they need to decide if they’re going to keep Jameson Williams long-term. The Lions will not be able to keep everyone and I think they will be able to afford Jameson, but maybe they will decide to go in a different direction. Or maybe I am wrong and he is going to ask for a ton of money. I personally do not think it will happen but they did not bring in Matthew Golden for a top 30 visit just for fun. Someone will have to be a cap casualty at some point (my money is on Sam LaPorta after the Trey McBride contract). If they decide they’re going to pick up the 5th year option on Jameson and then look to sign him long-term, they will not be taking a wide receiver in the first round. But if they move him on draft night? Watch out.
The next big spot to address is defensive back. Unfortunately, it’s not a great safety class, but they probably need to dabble in one anyways. They do not have the depth they have had in years past (cap casualties and all that) and if Kerby Joseph or Brian Branch goes down, it gets hairy in a hurry. It would be prudent of them to add a guy on day 3 to provide depth and have some upside in case he needs to spot start. I would like for them to add another corner as well, but the fact they signed Avonte Maddox, Rock-Ya Sin and DJ Reed this year makes me think they may not take one. I think you should always take one for depth when possible, especially when you can take one to battle with Dorsey for the 6th spot.
The last spot they could address, and probably should address, is tight end. It is one of the best tight end classes ever and it would be great to add another piece to that room to go with LaPorta and Wright. Zylstra is fine and YeBoah is going on his 5th year as a project…adding in someone that can play would be great for the TE3 spot. I’m not sure they will spend the capital early in the draft, but the tight ends picked in the first 3-4 rounds are going to be ballplayers.
MOCK DRAFT
1st Round, 28th Overall: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Let’s assume the board breaks perfectly for the Lions…they could have a plethora of options here. I would love for the Lions to trade up for someone like Mykel Williams out of Georgia but I’m not going to get my hopes up and project that. Holmes has proven time and again that he will trade up if he wants a guy. Ezeiruaku has the pass rushing tools the Lions want to pair him opposite Aidan Hutchinson and everything I’ve read suggests he’s a football guy that consumes film for fun. He does not have ideal size but he’s athletic and his tape/production is top notch.
Grey Zabel, IOL, NDSU or Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama or Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon (too talented to pass up)
2nd Round, 60th Overall: Josaiah Stewart, EDGE, Michigan
A homer pick? Perhaps. I seem to be higher on Stewart than consensus. As time has gone on, he has seemingly dropped toward the 3rd round of the draft, but I think he will outplay his draft position. He may not have ideal size but the guy is an absolute ballplayer and gets after the quarterback. He’s explosive and powerful and would be a perfect situational pass rusher that can develop into a full-time starter. He had over 30 career sacks and he only ever plays at one speed.
JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State or Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
3rd Round, 102nd Overall: Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia
Milum started for four years at West Virginia and played left tackle the past three seasons. I think that despite his experience and size that he will project inside to play guard (while providing tackle depth at the next level) and he could be a starter in the interior right away. He has not allowed a sack since he was a freshman and he was a true freshman at that. That said, he has short arms and does not have high level athleticism, hence the projected move to guard at the next level. At any rate, he was a four-year starter and missed 3 games total because of injury. This guy has football player written all over him and I think that the Lions would love to add him.
Dylan Fairchild, OG, Georgia or Anthony Belton, OT, NC State
4th Round, 130th Overall: Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State
A local kid that Harbaugh should never have let leave the state! That’s a different rant for a different time. Reed led PSU in tackles and interceptions last year and plays like a runaway freight train. He makes a lot of plays, both good and bad. He has a few too many missed tackles to be a starter at this point, but his fearlessness and his traits would make him a great backup and special teamer with upside. I would always err on the side of athleticism and fearlessness and willingness than timidness. You can teach a player to play in control and to tackle better, you cannot teach them to be mentally strong and willing. He plays at full speed and has not missed a game in three years…sign me up.
Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State or Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon
6th Round, 196th Overall: Dont’e Thornton, WR, Tennessee
I’m usually pretty anti-Tennessee wide receivers because of the system they run. It’s simplistic and Thornton’s route running is unrefined. But you cannot teach 6’5″ 205 with a 4.30 40. Especially this late in the draft, you’re chucking darts looking for home runs. You can draft for special teams or for guys to make your roster and be backups, but with how well-established the Lions roster is, they should be trying to hit a home run or two with these later picks. Thornton is a long-striding deep ball hero and can make plays with the ball in his hands. He did not play special teams at Tennessee is likely an outside WR only…but this is a traitsy dart throw that I think would be worth taking.
Jake Briningstool, TE, Clemson or Joshua Simon, TE, South Carolina
7th Round, 228th Overall: Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa
He’s not Sam LaPorta, that is for sure. He does not have his athleticism but he is a solid athlete overall. He blocks well and he has solid hands. It would be hard to expect much from a player drafted this late, but Lachey would have a strong chance to be the TE3 behind Brock Wright and could potentially be a Wright replacement when it is time for Wright to become a cap casualty.
7th Round, 244th Overall: Jay Higgins, LB, Iowa
Not an athlete but destined to be a career special teamer. He is a worker that was a tackling machine (295 tackles in two seasons) and is incredibly smart. I understand taking Higgins is a bit of an oxymoron after I preached trying to hit home runs late with Thornton…but Higgins is a guy that I can see the Lions loving and will be able to carve out a niche role on special teams or be on the practice squad.
Craig Woodson, S, Cal or Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan (unlikely since they have Vaki but could be fun!)
There are a lot of ways this draft could shake out. I would say that I expect Brad Holmes to move up the board and I would be surprised if he picked at 28. This draft is said to be deep but low on elite talent, so if there is anyone that they feel strongly about, I expect them to pop up and get that player. Who that player is? Could be anyone’s guess. I think the only thing I hope for this draft is that they come out of it with two edge rushers, an offensive lineman and a safety. I’m not sure I particularly care who they take and if they do not address all of those positions, I think I’ll be just fine with it. Holmes and Co. have proven that they deserve our trust and we need to just enjoy a stress-free NFL Draft weekend.
Pre-Draft Visits via Pride of Detroit
Detroit Lions Top 30, pre-draft visits
- RB Cam Skattebo, Arizona State (source)
- RB Lan Larison, UC-Davis (source)
- WR Matthew Golden, Texas (source)
- WR Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas (source) Note: Could be defined as a local visit
- TE Ben Yurosek, Georgia (source)
- OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State (source)
- OG Dylan Fairchild, Georgia (source)
- OT Anthony Belton, NC State (source)
- EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M (source) — Our story
- EDGE Josaiah Stewart, Michigan (source) Note: Could be defined as a local visit
- EDGE Que Robinson, Alabama (source)
- DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon (source) Note: Could be defined as a local visit
- DT Tyliek Williams, Ohio State (source)
- LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama (source)
- LB Chaz Chambliss, Georgia (source)
- LB Ruben Hyppolite, Maryland (source)
- CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky (source) Note: Could be defined as a local visit
- S Jonas Sanker, Virginia (source) — Our story
Detroit Lions local visit (doesn’t count against top-30)
- S Jaylen Reed, Penn State (source) — from Detroit
Detroit Lions virtual visits
Detroit Lions local pro day invitees
LS William Wagner, Michigan (source)
QB Cole Snyder, Eastern Michigan (source)
RB Peny Boone, Central Florida (source)
RB Jacquez Stuart, Toledo (source)
RB Myren Harris, Davenport (source)
WR Tyrone Broden, Arkansas (source)
TE Blake Daniels, Eastern Michigan (source)
TE Christion Carter, Northern Illinois (source)
TE Maliq Carr, Houston (source)
TE Anthony Torres, Toledo (source)
OL Luke Newman, Michigan State (source)
OL Josh Priebe, Michigan (source)
OL Spencer Brown, Oklahoma (source)
DL Ali Saad, Bowling Green (source)
EDGE Josaiah Stewart, Michigan (source)
DT Maverick Hansen, Michigan State (source)
DT Peyton Price, Eastern Michigan (source)
DT Muftah Ageli, Northwestern/OK State (source)
DT Darius Alexander, Toledo (source)
LB Dorian Mausi, Auburn (source)
LB Devin Veresuk, Windsor (source)
LB Kobe King, Penn State (source)
LB Cornell Wheeler, Kansas (source)
LB Jordan Turner, Michigan State (source)
CB Aamir Hall, Michigan (source)
DB Daraun McKinney, Central Michigan (source)
DB Makari Paige, Michigan (source)
S Rod Heard, Notre Dame (source)
K Griffin Milovanski, Wayne State (source)
Photo via: Detroit Sports Nation
Photo via: The Boston Globe
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