:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59541263/usa_today_9597203.0.jpg)
The Detroit Lions first-round pick resulted in shock, then anger, then acceptance from a lot of the team’s fans on Thursday night. The disbelief wasn’t so much about Frank Ragnow himself, but rather, Detroit’s decision to pass on Harold Landry, who many believed was, by far, the best player avaiable that fit a need.
Overall, Lions fans quickly settled into the pick, but were overall underwhelmed. The perception nationally, however, was quite different. Here’s a sampling of the Lions’ 2018 NFL Draft grades from Round 1.
Pride of Detroit commenters: B-
As of 1 a.m. ET on Friday, 30 percent of Lions fans gave the pick a A. However, 32 percent gave Detroit a grade of C or lower, including 15 percent giving it a D or an F.
The Ringer (Danny Kelly): Fit: A+; Value: B+
Kelly only had positive things to say about Ragnow in his grading of the pick. He called Ragnow a “top-tier athlete” with “fundamental technique and positional versatility.” Kelly also mentions that Ragnow is both an “exceptional pass blocker” and “outstanding run blocker.”
Bleacher Report (Mike Tanier): B
Tanier, like many, was a bit turned off by the Lions passing on Landry, but admits as long as Ragnow checks out medically, he’s “a likely starter and a potential steal.”
Benoit doesn’t really give much of a reason for his grade, but simply explains that Ragnow could be “a force in the running game” and he will likely keep Graham Glasgow at left guard.
Prisco’s reasoning for the grade was simple: The Lions got the best center who has position versatility.
- Matt Miller: B-
- Chris Simms: A-
In this video review of the first round, both Miller and Simms seem to like the pick. Miller has his reservations, giving Ragnow a high second-round grade because of the ankle injury. However, he notes Ragnow’s versatility both in different positions and different schemes as a reason for hope.
Simms on the other hand, is all-in on the pick. “The injury is scary, but, man, the film is not,” Simms says. “The film is going to be scary for defenders because he’s phenomenal.”