Detroit Lions: Five First Round Draft Options

Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor

One of the keys to the recent resurgence has been a noticeable uptick in the defensive line play, namely a healthy Haloti Ngata on the inside. The lack of depth and heavy reliance on the 31-year-old Ngata makes bolstering the defensive line a major offseason priority.

Enter Billings, a very active and athletic nose tackle. He’s got the brute strength to hold up against the point of attack, the drive behind it to wreak havoc in the backfield. Check out this play (he’s No. 75):

He’s battled an ankle injury and doesn’t appear to have the initial burst of an Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy. Then again, he’s a much better fit as the 0 or shaded 1 technique. He reminds me some of a lighter Jerry Ball, a former Lion who made three Pro Bowls and had a very long, above-average career. Surely the Lions can use a talent like this, though his impact ceiling is the lowest of any player listed here.

Next: Deforest Buckner