Detroit Lions fans, let’s play “Would you rather?”
Second round
Assuming that the Lions select a current need in the first, the linebackers would still have to be addressed. Without Davis, the Lions would be hurting there. Among the needs of the current roster, though, offensive tackle is the second biggest threat to a successful season. It is above the deficiencies at linebacker.
Raekwon McMillan and Zach Cunningham, both linebackers, were both available in the second round, at pick 53, where we selected corner back Teez Tabor. The Lions could’ve also went in another direction. Two offensive tackles went just after Tabor. Additionally, defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson was taken. Both are two areas where the Lions have looked shaky at best through four practices.
Certainly, with Taylor Decker‘s injury, the starting left tackle who is out with a bad shoulder, Detroit needed a better alternative than Cornelius Lucas or Corey Robinson. Rick Wagner, the starter at right tackle, is not a capable left tackle option. The Lions used a 2018 pick to acquire Greg Robinson from the Rams to fill in at left tackle. Detroit was also forced to sign two other players to try to address the issue.
Third round
The third round saw the Lions pick a wide receiver, Kenny Golladay. He has been well received, excuse the pun. He has made plays early and often in camp. Wideout is a need, especially going forward, but for right this second the defensive front still would take precedence over receiver.
The Lions traded down from number 85 to get more picks, so they didn’t pick until 96th overall.
If they took an end like Charlton and a defensive tackle, like Tomlinson, the front of the defense would look significantly better. In the third round three corner backs could have offered help for our secondary if we waited. Kendall Beckwith, an outside linebacker, was the lone option taken in the third round. Vince Biegel, another outside linebacker, was taken with the first pick of the fourth round, too.
Let’s assume that the Lions do go with a corner back, like Cordrea Tankersley, given that no offensive tackles seem to fit here. Starting corner back is still an issue opposite Darius Slay, our best corner back. Linebacker is also still a problem.