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Bob Quinn has proven that his board doesn’t reflect any of our boards, and that’s why we don’t work for an NFL team. Now that the Detroit Lions have drafted an offensive lineman, a running back and a safety, they will have only two more picks (unless they add more) for Day 3. Let’s take a look at some prospects available at the Lions’ top needs moving forward.
Edge rusher
1. Josh Sweat
2. Marquis Haynes
3. Duke Ejiofor
4. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Many of us thought that the Lions would address the defensive line early in the draft, but that has yet to happen. If, for some miracle, Josh Sweat were to be available in the fifth round for the Lions, this would be a fantastic pick for them despite the injury concerns there. Haynes is another pass rushing specialist that could be available for the Lions, but there aren’t many other options now that the Lions have missed out on an edge rusher in the first three rounds. They’ll likely have to rely on what they’ve already got for at least this year.
Defensive tackle
1. Maurice Hurst
2. R.J. McIntosh
3. Trenton Thompson
4. Andrew Brown
Something is obviously up with Hurst or else he wouldn’t still be available on Day 3. I can’t say that I’m a doctor or a GM, so I don’t know exactly what’s going on there, but I feel like the risk might be worth it later in the draft. Hurst’s talent is hard to pass up. McIntosh has the versatility to play inside and out, though he is still extremely raw. Thompson, another 3-tech option, could probably be had in the fifth round as well.
Tight end
1. Ian Thomas
2. Jaylen Samuels
3. Chris Herndon
4. Tyler Conklin
Thomas was actually expected to go a little earlier in the draft according to some draftniks, but it’s not completely surprising that this athletic tight end is still available in the later rounds due to his raw ability. Samuels, a favorite of our own Mike Payton, is known as an “all-around” or “hybrid” talent. I think he can find a role Detroit with his ability to gain yards after contact and with Tate likely gone in a year, he could be that guy that the offense looks to when they need to find a player in space.
Wide receiver
1. Daesean Hamilton
2. Deon Cain
3. Equanimeous St. Brown
4. Keke Coutee
5. Richie James
Wide receiver isn’t a huge position of need, but the Lions need to start thinking about a potential future without Golden Tate. There are plenty of options here for the Lions, but the one that I like the most (and the one that is most likely to be there in the fifth round) is Richie James, who could be a perfect eventual replacement for Tate.
Cornerback
1. Parry Nickerson
2. Anthony Averett
3. Holton Hill
4. Davontae Harris
Cornerback wasn’t the biggest need on my radar, but the poor play at the position last year convinced me that drafting a late-round corner wouldn’t be a bad decision in the slightest. Holton Hill is a nice developmental player that they could possibly stash on the practice squad for a year.