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The Detroit Lions have selected Jarrad Davis with their first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
It turns out all of the mock drafts were right. Despite a ton of defensive players falling to the Lions—including troubled linebacker Reuben Foster—Detroit went with the pick that everyone was expecting: Florida’s Jarrad Davis.
Davis is a three-down linebacker that will be a plug-and-play defender for the Lions. Davis brings something the Lions severely lacked in 2016: coverage abilities. In fact, Davis probably has the best man-to-man skills of any linebacker in the 2017 draft.
The #Lions select Jarrad Davis 21st overall,the Florida LB is an elite #RAS athlete and fills a huge position of need for Detroit. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/dYgux2V3kI
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 28, 2017
However, like just about every prospect, there are some concerns. Davis occasionally has trouble diagnosing plays quickly and isn’t the cleanest tackler.
Still, Davis will be the perfect replacement for DeAndre Levy, who the Lions cut last month.
Commenter JacobNL has a great breakdown of Davis’ film here.
Lions remaining picks
- Round 2, Pick 21 (53 overall)
- Round 3, Pick 21 (85 overall)
- Round 4, Pick 20 (128 overall)
- Round 5, Pick 21 (165 overall)
- Round 6, Pick 21 (205 overall)
- Round 6, Pick 31 (215 overall) - Via Patriots from Kyle Van Noy Trade
- Round 7, Pick 32 (250 overall) - Via Patriots from Michael Williams Trade
Top remaining needs for Lions:
Linebacker- Defensive end
- Defensive tackle
- Wide receiver
- Running back
- Cornerback
- Tight end
- Free safety
NFL Draft schedule
Friday
What: Rounds 2-3 of the NFL Draft
When: Friday, April 28, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Philadelphia, PA
TV: NFL Network, ESPN/ESPN 2
Time per pick: Round 2: 7 minutes; Round 3: 5 minutes
Estimated time of Lions picks:
- Pick 53 overall: 9 p.m. ET
- Pick 85 overall: 10:43 p.m ET
Saturday
What: Rounds 4-7 of the NFL Draft
When: Saturday, April 29, Noon ET
Where: Philadelphia, PA
TV: NFL Network, ESPN
Time per pick: Rounds 4-6: 5 minutes; Round 7: 4 minutes
Estimated time of Lions picks:
- Pick 128 overall: 1:35 p.m. ET
- Pick 165 overall: 3:15 p.m. ET
- Pick 205 overall: 4:55 p.m. ET
- Pick 215 overall: 5:15 p.m. ET
- Pick 250 overall: 6:30 p.m. ET
Poll
Grade the Lions’ first-round pick
This poll is closed
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49%
A
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40%
B
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6%
C
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1%
D
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2%
F