One Year Benchmarks: Grading the 2015 Detroit Lions Draft Class
By Eric Ranes
Round 4 – Pick No. 14 (113 ovr) – DT Gabe Wright (Auburn) D+
The Lions are missing a pick smack dab in the middle of the third round in 2016 and the player that we need to credit with that value is defensive tackle Gabe Wright.
Wright flashed some ability through the 2015, particularly in his pass rush explosion. However, I mistook him for a roller derby player in the run game at times and it was evident he still needs a lot of work on both his strength and technique in both facets of the game. At face value, he showed enough to me to be that I would consider him an average pick with considerable promise that needs some development, which what you sort of expect with a 4th round pick.
However, I had to slide the grade down somewhat due to the fact that the Lions are short a pick in the middle of the third round this year in a deep defensive tackle class. Sheldon Day and Sheldon Rankins both are guys who might be available that I like a little more as prospects than Wright. The middle of the third round is also an area where a potential developmental replacement for Calvin at WR could be picked, such as Leonte Caroo or Kenny Lawler. I’m not sure I would take Wright over the options that will be available with the 2016 pick that was sacrificed for Wright.
The lesson with Gabe Wright is that trading future picks that could be a full round ahead for current year picks is only a good idea if the player for which you’re trading represents the kind of value you’re giving away. If Wright was graded in the early third round when the Lions picked him, then fine, that’s on the scouts for missing. I didn’t necessarily like the trade last year and Wright has not done enough for me to think otherwise, but was hoping the scouts and Mayhew would have proved me wrong. Alas.
Pick grade: D+
Successful draft options in next 10 picks: Ibraheim Campbell (S, limited play), Rodney Gunter (DT)
Next: Mr. Burton