Notes: Frank Ragnow deemed Detroit Lions best draft pick of the decade

It may not be the sexiest of draft picks, but it’s certainly one of the most important.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report offers his list of the best draft pick each team has made in the past decade. When making his selection, he says he took into account factors like statistical production, career length, and how that player impacted the franchise.

He also gave bonus points if the player helped take the team to the Super Bowl. I had to throw that one in there.

Knox awarded the title of Detroit’s best pick to trusty center Frank Ragnow. The entry explaining his pick starts off hot: “This was a tough decision, not because the Detroit Lions have made a plethora of terrific recent picks but because they haven’t.”

A few of the names mentioned there include Jarrad Davis, Eric Ebron, and Ziggy Ansah. But regarding the top pick, the writer says it came down to Ragow, left tackle Taylor Decker, and former Lions receiver Kenny Golladay.

“Ragnow, however, is establishing himself as one of the best centers in the game. Selected with the 20th pick in 2018, the Arkansas product started 16 games as a rookie and has missed just three in three seasons,” Knox explained.

Ragnow was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2020 and didn’t allow a sack the whole season, according to Pro Football Focus.

“He should be an anchor along the line for years to come, and while centers don’t get a ton of attention, Ragnow was a tremendous pick,” Knox says.

Not sure why toughness doesn’t factor into the decision, but ok.

Read his complete list of top draft picks from all 32 teams here.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• Brentley Weissman over at The Draft Network has the Lions going receiver at No. 7 in his sixth mock of the season.

• Jamin Davis, D’Wayne Eskridge? The guys over at The Athletic take a look at some of the less popular draft crushes. (Subscription required.)

• PFF offers an interesting draft trade scenario where the New England Patriots trade up to secure the Lions’ seventh pick and get themselves a new QB.

• John Maakaron of Sports Illustrated’s All Lions ponders — should the Lions consider free agent running back James Conner?

• Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton ranked the top five best moves of the offseason, and two involve a Lion. Er, a former Lion.

• Not sure why this amused me so much but enjoy.