2016 NFL Draft grades: Grading the Detroit Lions' picks

1st round (16): Taylor Decker (Ohio State), Offensive Tackle

I correctly guessed this pick in my final mock draft so I'm required to like this pick, right? But seriously, I really do love this pick. Throughout the draft process, Decker was my No. 2 offensive tackle and 10th ranked player overall. He just has a knack for kicking ass and finishing plays. What more do you want from a right tackle? I love that Bob Quinn's approach was to draft in the trenches early and get guys who love to hit.

We're not 100 percent sure where Decker will play, but it's pretty likely that he'll get the nod as the starting right tackle opposite of Riley Reiff. One thing is for certain: Taylor Decker is an immediate upgrade for the offensive line, and a necessary pick to ensure Matthew Stafford's safety.

Role: Starting right tackle
Grade: A

2nd round (46): A'Shawn Robinson (Alabama), Defensive Tackle

I can't argue with idea of drafting a defensive tackle here. That was an absolute must. There a couple guys I preferred over A'Shawn, but I'm not selfish. This is still a really good pick, and it's never a bad idea to draft the Teflon Don himself.

I still cannot fathom how I am actually three years older than a man that looks like he could be my adopted father, but that's beside the point. Robinson is a behemoth in the trenches and could very well challenge Haloti Ngata for a starting position early.

Our own Ryan Mathews did some investigative work down in Draft Town and was able to meet up with A'Shawn's former teammate, Jarran Reed.

Here's a quote from the big man himself:

"A'Shawn is my brother, he's going to be one helluva player for y'all."

Role: Role player (potential starter down the road)
Grade: B

3rd round (95): Graham Glasgow (Michigan), Center

I wasn't too crazy about this pick at first, but I'm pretty confident that Glasgow will be able to beat out Travis Swanson at center, so any time you draft a starter it's hard to slam the pick. Still, I thought this was a bit early for Glasgow and I would have liked to have drafted someone like Missouri's Evan Boehm later in the draft.

Glasgow is a solid fit for the Lions who truly needed to get bigger and stronger at the center position.

Role: Starting center
Grade: B-

4th round (111): Miles Killebrew (Southern Utah), Safety

"I would much rather be the hammer than the nail, and I love it." - Miles Killebrew

Miles Killebrew is everything. From the nickname "Killa," to the broken bodies he leaves on the field, there is a whole lot to love about Killebrew. At 6-foot-2, 217 pounds, Killebrew sports a prototypical frame and is a supreme athlete for the safety position. His tape shows a guy that loves to bring the hammer, but there is also a reason why he was selected in the fourth round and not the first or second. His instincts are lacking and he is slow to respond at times, which may limit him to a box-safety role early in his career. But with the work of some Teryl Austin magic, I love Killebrew's potential for the Lions and his upside is tremendous.

Role: Starting strong safety
Grade: A+

5th round (151): Joe Dahl (Washington State), Offensive Guard

I actually like the thinking behind this pick. The Lions' run game was abysmal last year and while they don't have an immediate need for a guard, Larry Warford's contract is up in a year and it doesn't hurt to add some extra depth to the interior, especially in the later rounds of the draft.

Dahl is an effective run blocker with excellent movement skills, allowing him to play multiple positions along the offensive line.

Role: Backup guard/swing tackle
Grade: B

5th round (169): Antwione Williams (Georgia Southern), Linebacker

I'd be lying if I said I didn't have to scramble and find out a little more about Williams after this selection. Georgia Southern wasn't exactly on my scouting list, but from all that I've read, it appears that Williams has great size and length for the position. With the uncertainty of Stephen Tulloch's fate and the disappointing start to Kyle Van Noy's career, it doesn't hurt to add some linebacker depth.

While I don't mind this pick, there were some names left on the board that I would have liked over Williams. Akron linebacker Jatavis Brown or even Texas-San Antonio's David Morgan II at tight end come to mind and would have offered more value to me.

Role: Backup linebacker/special teams contributor
Grade: C

6th round (191): Jake Rudock (Michigan), Quarterback

Surprise! I can't get excited about this pick and it's not because I'm a Michigan State slappy. My philosophy is that if you're going to draft a backup quarterback, he better have a chance to turn into a quality starter. I don't like taking a guy just because he's smart and saying "he can be a decent backup." No. I don't want to hear your Tom Brady arguments. I just don't see enough tools from Rudock that tell me he can turn into a solid QB in the NFL.

With that being said, I also don't think this is the worst pick in the world. Rudock has a shot to become Stafford's backup and the fact that the Lions had seven picks to fill on Day 3 makes this pick easier to deal with.

Role: Backup/third-string QB
Grade: D+

6th round (202): Anthony Zettel (Penn State), Defensive End/Tackle

Anthony Zettel tackles trees.

Zettel is listed as a defensive tackle via NFL.com, though it's worth noting that Bob Quinn is interested in him playing defensive end for the Lions. Zettel is a below-average athlete at DE and struggles to disengage at the point of attack, but his relentless motor and deadly spin move gives him a shot to become a rotational pass rusher for the Lions.

It took the Lions eight picks to finally add some depth at DE, and I'm sure most fans wish that they would have addressed the position sooner. Better late than never, I guess.

Role: Rotational defensive end/tackle
Grade: B-

6th round (210): Jimmy Landes (Baylor), Long Snapper

You will literally never convince me that drafting a long snapper is ever a good idea. I cannot defend this pick at all.

Role: Developmental long snapper?
Grade: F

7th round (236): Dwayne Washington (Washington), Running Back

This is another confusing pick to me. I'm not sure why the Lions would want another running back that lacks power and whose ability to catch the ball is his saving grace. I thought the Lions would entertain the idea of taking a back like Alex Collins or Jordan Howard to replace Joique Bell and add some power to the rotation, but that's not the type of player Dwayne Washington is.

Role: Insurance at RB
Grade: D-

Overall Grade: B

Quinn left some head scratchers on Day 3, but he also did a remarkable job of adding talent and filling needs throughout the first two days of the draft. This certainly could have gone a whole lot worse for a first-year general manager and I have to believe that there will be some champagne celebrations going on in Allen Park after a successful weekend.