Tag: team needs

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Detroit Lions 2019 draft plan

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Lions need help across the board. Tight End, Wide Receiver, Guard, Cornerback, Safety, Defensive Edge Rusher. The Lions pick in the first round at #8 where will the team go?

There is need. There is also the best player available. In recent years Lions general manager Bob Quinn has gone down both avenues. When the need is many there really is no wrong way to go about drafting.

Here is my big-board for the Lions at #8. In the order that I view the value of the pick. Agree or disagree. It should be noted this list is before free agency. So it is possible the Lions fill a need before the draft.

  1. Tight End, T.J. Hockenson Iowa Hawkeyes, he averaged 51.5 snaps/game. At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds Hockenson is ideal size for the NFL. running the 40 in 4.5 the big man can move. He is a dynamic pass catcher. T.J. is an excellent blocker on the line or downfield. Making him the top choice for the Lions who desperately need a tight end.

2. Defensive Edge Rusher, Clelin Ferrell, Clemson Tigers, One of the nations best at getting into the backfield rushing the passer and shutting down the rushing game. What appeals teams and should jump out at the Detroit Lions is Ferrell can play with no hands on the ground or one hand on the ground. Meaning he can play either the 3-4 or 4-3 defense with no issues. While Clelin  lack the speed and strength that Nick Bosa and Josh Allen have, his overall strength stands out as he is stronger than his draft hopefuls.

3. Ed Oliver, Defensive Edge Rusher, Houston Cougars, The 6-foot-2, 290-pound playmaker flashed big-time potential.  He shows a great first-step quickness, lateral movement skills, explosive strength and hustle for a pass-rushing defensive tackle playing as a one-technique.  One of the top defensive prospects in college football makes Oliver a player of interest for the Detroit Lions.

While there is no telling what the Lions big-board looks like. It is safe to say that one of these p[layers lands in Motown. Any one of the three will be able to step in and help out immediately.

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Detroit Lions: draft needs

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Lions are in the best shape of all the Detroit sports teams. Yet, there is work to be done in order for the team to contend year in and year out.

 

As the 2018 NFL draft nears. Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn, needs to prioritize the top needs to push the Lions, to be more consistent in all phases of the game. My uneducated list is as follows.

Tight end. Eric Ebron, could not catch the ball consistently and Detroit released him and moved on. In order for the Lions offense to be better balanced a solid tight end is needed.

Defensive end. This group was woeful at best. They could not get the push needed and it hurt the rest of the defensive unit badly at times. To me this needs to be addressed in the first two round.

Running back.  Three years of Ameer Abdullah. Three years the Detroit Lions have been dead last in the entire NFL in rushing. Simply put that is unacceptable. To me this should be a first round choice. In a year of good running backs available why not get one of the best?

Offensive guard. Graham  Glasgow, suffered a sophomore slump. He still played well at times. Now it seems Detroit, is moving him to center. Travis Sawnson is oft injured and when healthy is below average and was not resigned by the team. If the team brings in a new running back how about a new guard to help open run lanes?

So there it is in no certain order. My list of Detroit Lions draft needs. We’ll see how it plays out next weekend.