Thursday open thread: Which Super Bowl 51 player would you like on the Lions?

Super Bowl 51 will feature the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots, two teams that, most will agree, deserve to be in the championship game. Not only are both teams extremely talented from the top to the bottom of their roster, but each are headed by an MVP candidate in Matt Ryan and Tom Brady, respectively.

It may come as a little surprise, however, that the teams collectively only feature four First Team All-Pro players. The Falcons have quarterback Matt Ryan, wide receiver Julio Jones and edge rusher Vic Beasley Jr., while the Patriots only have special teams player Matthew Slater. However, if we extend that to Second Team All-Pro players, suddenly that combined number balloons to 11 players.

Regardless of the postseason accolades, it’s clear these two teams are talented. So today’s Question of the Day is:

Which player for either Super Bowl 51 team would you like to put on the Lions roster?

My answer: While adding a guy like Dont’a Hightower could be a reality this offseason, I will aim higher with this hypothetical question. Give me Vic Beasley Jr. and his 15.5 sacks from 2016.

I have made it no secret that I think the Lions would benefit from another pass rusher more than any other addition this offseason and Beasley is easily the best remaining in the NFL Playoffs.

While adding a guy like Julio Jones would be an effective way to fill the hole in my heart left from Calvin Johnson’s retirement last year, I firmly believe the Lions offense can get by without a top 10 receiver, even if we’re talking about the Top 1 receiver in this case. This defense, however, will continue to bog down this team until they find more playmakers. Beasley would immediately come in and create chaos—the good kind—and take the defense to another level. And considering he’s only 24 years old, he may just be getting started.

Your turn. I eagerly await the first person to say Kyle Van Noy. Very funny.