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Detroit Lions: Looking ahead at some 2018 draft prospects

By Michael Kirkland

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: (L-R) Taylor Decker of Ohio State holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #16 overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: (L-R) Taylor Decker of Ohio State holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #16 overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions roster has problems. Today, we discuss the positions and prospects available during the 2018 NFL Draft that might help.

CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 28: (L-R) Taylor Decker of Ohio State holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #16 overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 28: (L-R) Taylor Decker of Ohio State holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #16 overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /

Less than half way through the 2017 season may seem like a strange time to think about the NFL draft. Maybe to you!  The Detroit Lions are in a battle for the NFC North division with a record of 3-3.

They have looked hapless most of the time during their last few outings. As a Lions fan, I think about the draft almost every day, because where else are we going to find real help? Let’s discuss a few need positions and some candidates that might end up in the Honolulu blue and silver.

For this exercise, I will assume that we pick right where we did last year. That puts us at number 21 overall of the draft order, although it is still conceivable that we get healthy and finish better. Taylor Decker, our injured left tackle, is slated to come back from injury around midseason, for example. You never know…

Trouble spots

First, some positions have been glaring problems since last year, whereas others have come to the fore due to injury or other current problems.

Offensive Line

We knew that the offensive line was going to be a work in progress. What we didn’t know was that it was going to turn into a true dumpster fire.

Taylor Decker, our left tackle, going down was the precursor to instability along our front line. We traded for Greg Robinson, who is streaky at best, undisciplined and sloppy at worst, to fill-in. It has been a mostly failed experiment.

The Lions have literally started guys that they just signed the previous week. I believe that there are Help Wanted signs all over Allen Park, where the Lions facilities are.

A couple of the new hires looked okay, but this was a big concern before the pile of injuries started. The line has surrendered a league-high 23 sacks through just six games, according to ESPN.

The left side of the line has been inconsistent and not nearly good enough. The right side, with injuries to T.J. Lang and Rick Wagner, has had its issues, too.

Clearly, this is a need going forward.

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