2017 NFL Draft Grades: Experts mixed on Lions’ Day 2 picks

The Detroit Lions’ first-round selection of Jarrad Davis was quite popular among fans. Experts, on the other hand, weren’t quite as excited about the pick. That being said, Davis was almost universally considered a ‘good’ pick. There wasn’t much disagreement: Davis was a safe, but uninspired pick. It was the quintessential “B” pick.

However, there is a lot less agreement over Detroit’s two Day 2 selections: cornerback Teez Tabor and receiver Kenny Golladay. Here’s what they’re saying about the picks.

Round 2, Pick 21 (53 overall): CB Teez Tabor

Pride Of Detroit poll
Grade: B-/C+

CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco
Grade: C

They need corner help, but he doesn't run well and he didn't do a lot to impress in the offseason with his testing.

SI.com’s Chris Burke
Grade: B+

So, the straight-line speed may not be there, but Tabor is quick enough to succeed as an NFL cornerback and he has the alpha-dog mentality required for such a task. We had him ranked No. 52; he went No. 53, so that’s pretty spot on.

SB Nation’s Dan Kadar
Grade: C

When Tabor ran poorly at the NFL Scouting Combine and his pro day he dropped from a possible first-round pick to this range. He’s excellent as an off-man cornerback and should start straight away fro the Lions.

Bleacher Report’s Mike Tanier
Grade: B+

Tabor may never be a Pro Bowler, but he’s not a Galapagos turtle, either. The Lions need defenders like him in the secondary.

Fox Sports’ Dieter Kurtenbach
Grade: A

Tabor is inconsistent and has plenty of off-the-field concerns. But he also has the talent to be the top corner in this draft. It's a risk, but I love it.

Overall:

Tabor is easily the most polarizing of Lions’ picks thus far, and it’s easy to see why. No one knows what to make of Tabor’s puzzling performances at the NFL Combine and his pro day. They are huge question marks on an otherwise very solid college career. Some, like Kurtenbach, admire the Lions’ boldness for taking who could be one of the best cornerbacks in a deep class. Others, like Prisco, believe Detroit took an unnecessary risk.

Round 3, Pick 32 (96 overall): WR Kenny Golladay

Pride Of Detroit poll
Grade: B-/C+

CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco
Grade: B-

A big. physical receiver who gives them a big, young target. The speed is the concern.

SI.com’s Chris Burke
Grade: C+

It's not hard to see why the Lions looked this way: They don’t have much at receiver behind Golden Tate and Marvin Jones, and they really could use a physical weapon outside. Golladay could be that, in time.

SB Nation’s Dan Kadar
Grade: C

Golladay was something of a surprise third-round pick. He’s a big receiver with some speed, but he needs to catch with his hands better and run crisper routes. Are the Lions going to take a player who can get after the quarterback at some point?

Bleacher Report’s Mike Tanier
Grade: C-

Golladay is the kind of mid-major production machine that fools me five times per draft class. He’s not much of a route-runner, lacks quickness in his cuts, and probably doesn’t snatch the ball in traffic as well as he will need to in tight NFL windows. There are also many more dynamic mid-major playmakers in this class.

Fox Sports’ Dieter Kurtenbach
Grade: D+

Golladay was going to be a Day 3 steal — a pick in the 200s that had a chance to make some noise. I know the Lions need wide receivers, but this is a huge reach.

Overall

There is a pretty big consensus here: Detroit reached with this pick. While every writer here concedes that Golladay has some intriguing physical tools, they believe he is too raw and too risky in an otherwise safer and deeper draft class.