Detroit Lions Draft: An Offensive Lineman for Every Round
By Jeff Risdon
Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions have a clear need to improve the offensive line. Even the most casual team observer can see this, despite the fact the franchise has heavily invested significant draft capital in the offensive front.
• Riley Reiff, first round, 2012
• Larry Warford, third round, 2013
• Travis Swanson, third round 2014
• Laken Tomlinson, first round, 2015
Keep that in mind as you check out the potential choices here; the best-laid plans sometimes just don’t work out as anticipated.
This is generally considered a good draft for tackles and centers but not a particularly strong class for guards. Now if some of the collegiate tackles can successfully convert inside, that position might be solid as well.
The Lions currently (as of Dec. 24th) hold the 11th overall pick in the first round, and are in that same range in subsequent rounds other than the third round. That pick was traded by Martin Mayhew for Gabe Wright. Detroit will get a compensatory pick at the end of the third round for the free-agent departures of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley.
This is the second in a series, the first dealt with quarterbacks.
Next: A Big 10 Tackle