Detroit Lions Draft: An Offensive Lineman for Every Round
By Jeff Risdon
Fourth Round: Joe Haeg, tackle, North Dakota State
Haeg is a four-year starter for the top program at the FCS level. His first two years were at right tackle, then he moved to the left side when Billy Turner moved onto the Miami Dolphins.
Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
He was impressive enough as a two-time All-American that he was actually a finalist for the FCS Offensive Player of the Year. That hasn’t happened for a linemen since 2010, and that level has produced several NFL starting offensive linemen.
The biggest question with the 6’6”, 300-pound former walk-on is strength. He arrived on campus at 235 pounds and while he has definitely bulked up, his lower body still looks more like a tight end.
I watched three Bison games and saw Haeg beaten exactly twice. One thing he does very well and that Lions fans will appreciate is that his quick feet allow him to recover if he doesn’t win initially on a play. That’s something that Reiff or the mercifully departed LaAdrian Waddle cannot do.
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