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Detroit Lions: 2017 NFL Re-Draft – Two fourth rounders

By Steven Mullenax

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 13: Edwin Jackson #53 of the Indianapolis Colts makes a tackle against Michael Roberts #80 of the Detroit Lions in the first half of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 13, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 13: Edwin Jackson #53 of the Indianapolis Colts makes a tackle against Michael Roberts #80 of the Detroit Lions in the first half of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 13, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions traded down in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, giving them two fourth round selections. How did they fare?

In the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions originally possessed the 85th overall selection. With several needs to fill on their roster, the Lions accepted a trade with the New England sending that pick to the Patriots.

In exchange, Detroit would received the 96th overall selection in the third round from the Pats, as well as one of their fourth rounders, 124th overall. This gave the Lions two fourth round selections to help build their roster.

The Motor City used the 96th overall pick in the third round on Northern Illinois wide receiver Kenny Golladay. That selection appears to be a real steal so far. Although, if Detroit had stood pat at their original third round position, they would have had a shot of landing Toledo running back Kareem Hunt, who was taken 86th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs and currently ranks second in the NFL in rushing yardage.

But let’s now turn our attention to the fourth round selections actually made by the Lions.

With the 124th overall pick, Detroit selected linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin out of Tennessee. After a slow start to the season, and mainly contributing on special teams, Reeves-Maybin was starting to come along providing quality reserve play until a recent ankle injury sidelined him. But he is a potential future starter the Lions could pair with first round selection, Jarrad Davis, at some point.

With the 127th overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Lions picked up Toledo tight end Michael Roberts. So if they knew about Roberts, they surely saw the potential of Kareem Hunt right? Regardless, the selection of the young tight end was a clear “shot across the bow” of former first round pick Eric Ebron.

But the 23-year old won’t be ready to take the starting role anytime soon. A developmental prospect with high-upside, Roberts led the FBS with 16 receiving touchdowns his senior season at Toledo. But he was also just a one-year starter with very limited experience.

So far this season, Roberts has only recorded a single reception for 15 yards in 11 games. He’s clearly stuck behind veterans like Ebron and Darren Fells on the depth chart. But the rookie has been a solid special team’s contributor.

As for a re-draft, the selection of Reeves-Maybin and Roberts have bolstered Detroit’s roster depth. And both appear to be quality prospects the Lions will continue to develop.

A couple other draft options do stand out though. Injured tight end Jake Butt out of Michigan might have been worth a flier over the raw, inexperienced Roberts. Butt ended up falling to the fifth round. Another late round jewel might be Iowa defensive back Desmond King. Some had him pegged as a possible second to third round pick before he fell the the fifth round as well. 

Next: What’s the deal with Ameer Abdullah?

The fact is no one prospect has stood out so much that it would force you to re-do what the Detroit Lion did in the fourth round. The only exemption being staying put in the third round and grabbing Kareem Hunt. Bundling those two picks in the fourth to trade up could have also been an option.

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