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Each week, as part of our game preview articles, I’ll be using the Question of the Day post to examine the roster of the Detroit Lions’ upcoming opponent. I’ll sort through their top players, narrowing the list based on a few key aspects (like being currently active), then present the following question to the fans base:
Which player on the Eagles would you want on the Lions roster?
The Eagles have plenty of talent on their roster, but with regards to this exercise, some of their most talented players reside in the same positions where the Lions' top talent play. For example, Jason Kelce is one of the best players on offense but he plays center, where Frank Ragnow holds down the middle. RT Lane Johnson, TE Dallas Goedert, and RB Miles Sanders get bumped because of Penei Sewell, T.J. Hockenson, and D’Andre Swift. On defense, it’s more of the same. Strong at defensive tackle, decent on the EDGE, and weak at linebacker. Very familiar.
There are a few upgrades the Eagles have that would look good in Honolulu Blue, let’s take a closer look.
DeVonta Smith, WR: If the Lions had traded back in last year’s draft, Smith likely would’ve gotten some serious consideration from Detroit. A weapon from multiple spots on the field at Alabama, the most recent Heisman award winner can be a problem for even the most experienced corners. The only pre-draft knock on him was his size, but that never concerned me as an evaluator as he plays much bigger than he gets credit for.
Landon Dickerson, IOL: If you were paying attention to our POD Community mock draft series last April, you may remember Dickerson was my selection for the Lions at pick No. 41 in the second round. In reality, the Eagles took him with pick No. 37 and the Rimmington trophy winner (top center in college football) has started six of the Eagles' seven games this season. In Week 1, he took over at right guard for an injured Brandon Brooks. When Isaac Seumalo went down, he shifted to left guard in Week 3 and has been starting there ever since. A high-upside lineman who can start at all three interior spots—yes, please.
Fletcher Cox, DT: Yes, the Lions are deep on the interior defensive line, but Cox is special and one of the best interior disruptors in the game. He’s not quite as dominant as he was in his 20’s, but he can still get the job done on a weekly basis. The biggest obstacle would be his contract, as the cap-strapped Eagles locked in $40 million in future guarantees when they reworked his last contract—a ton of money for a 31-year-old lineman.
Darius Slay, CB: If only Matt Patricia didn’t stalk players’ social media accounts and treat them with utter contempt, Slay might not be an option on this list because he very well might have stuck around in Detroit—but here we are. The Lions are flirting with starting their fourth rookie corner (three of them undrafted) on the season and meanwhile, Slay, arguably one of, if not the Lions' best modern-day cornerback, is an Eagle.
My choice: Slay
Long-term, Smith is probably the smarter choice, but the Lions’ secondary is decimated with injuries, and Slay is, and always has been, a rock of consistency.
Am I right? Wrong? Which Eagle would you steal away?
Poll
Which player on the Eagles would you want on the Lions roster?
This poll is closed
-
52%
DeVonta Smith, WR
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3%
Landon Dickerson, IOL
-
1%
Fletcher Cox, DT
-
39%
Darius Slay, CB
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2%
Other
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