Detroit Lions Drafts Revisited: Fan Reactions

The 2013 draft is viewed by many to be one of the worst drafts in recent memory.  Of the top 10 draft picks, only one could be seriously considered a success for where he was drafted.  That pick, of course, was the Detroit Lions selection of Ezekiel Ansah at 5th overall.  Fans weren’t entirely sold on Ansah, but he wasn’t the only one to incur some fan wrath.

"Ziggy Ansah‘s rise to no. 5 pick by the #Detroit Lions is incredible. He was nowhere near the #NFL draft radar a year ago."

Not so much a hot take as simply pointing out where much of the fan distrust of this pick came from.

"Last thing I’ll say on this Lions pick: Martin Mayhew said he will draft the best player available. Ziggy Ansah was NOT the best player."

If this were a redraft, it’s likely Ansah would not even be available at 5th overall.

"I literally said anyone but Ziggy Ansah before this Draft started and who did they take? Typical Lions."

Upon review, your reverse prediction ended up working out for the Detroit Lions.

"HAHAHAHA. #Lions draft DE Ziggy Ansah. The dude barely played at BYU. Just started playing football. So happy I am not a Lions fan."

This one comes courtesy of a blue checkmarked sports journalist.  For those curious for who he would have taken, that would be Dion Jordan (3rd overall, so no chance anyway), who is now out of the league.

"@davebirkett So, let’s get this straight: Lions didn’t really want Ansah at 5, and Slay needed surgery the whole time. Some draft"

I imagine in Charlotte’s Web when Wilbur is sitting under a web that says “Some Pig”.  Worked out for him, worked out for the Detroit Lions.

"Detroit lions.Useless.Let’s not draft Jarvis Jones or Dee Milliner because of injuries but then draft Slay who had knee surgery on friday"

Underlining one chief complaint about Slay, ignoring the difference between ‘injured’ and the types of injury.  Jones was believed to have spinal stenosis, Dee Milliner had half a dozen surgeries in college, while Slay only had a small meniscus surgery.  That aside, Slay has been the least injured of the bunch.

"#Lions with another pathetic draft. #Slay was a total reach, total bust pick right there AGAIN they miss in 2nd round… #IneptFrontOffice"

This guy didn’t pull any punches.  While it’s true the Lions were swinging and missing with their 2nd round picks, that doesn’t mean that every 2nd round pick was meant to be a bust.  Also, I just found it humorous someone called the Detroit Lions best draft pathetic.

Look guys, everybody has their hot takes now and again. Sometimes we’re right, sometimes we’re not, and it’s always fun to look back on these reactions and laugh about just how wrong we were.  To show that it’s all in good fun, here was one of my own pre draft impressions of the Vikings Anthony Barr.  Barr would of course go on to be one of the better linebackers in the league as of the time of this writing.

What were your favorite hot takes from recent drafts?  Anybody you missed on that you’re brave enough to post?  Let us know in the comments or find us on Twitter @SideLionReport or myself @MathBomb!

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