Revisiting the Detroit Lions’ 2016 draft: Bob Quinn’s first

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)
1 of 4

Two years is a small sample size, but the 2016 NFL Draft may be the Detroit Lions’ blueprint for that elusive championship.

ALLEN PARK, MI – FEBRUARY 07: General Manager Bob Quinn of the Detroit Lions speaks at a press conference after introducing Matt Patricia as the Lions new head coach at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ALLEN PARK, MI – FEBRUARY 07: General Manager Bob Quinn of the Detroit Lions speaks at a press conference after introducing Matt Patricia as the Lions new head coach at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Any chance of the Detroit Lions capturing a Super Bowl title starts with good draft picks. As general manger Bob Quinn approaches his third draft for the Lions, here is a look back at his first: The 2016 NFL Draft.

This particular draft defines the beginning of Quinn’s (hopefully long) tenure as the lead man in Detroit.

Here are the 10 picks by the Detroit Lions in the 2016 NFL Draft:

  • First Round (#16 overall) – OT Taylor Decker – Ohio State
  • Second Round (#46 overall) – DT A’Shawn Robinson – Alabama
  • Third Round (#95 overall) – C Graham Glasgow – Michigan
  • Fourth Round (#111 overall) – S Miles Killebrew – Southern Utah
  • Fifth Round (#151 overall) – G Joe Dahl – Washington State
  • Fifth Round (#169 overall) – LB Antwione Williams – Georgia Southern
  • Sixth Round (#191 overall) – QB Jake Rudock – Michigan
  • Sixth Round (#202 overall) – DL Anthony Zettel – Penn State
  • Sixth Round (#210 overall) – LS Jimmy Landes – Baylor
  • Seventh Round (#236 overall) – RB Dwayne Washington – Washington

DON’T MISS AT THE TOP

The top of the draft encompasses the “Day 1” and “Day 2” picks of the current format, which includes the first three rounds. These are the “don’t miss” rounds of the NFL draft.

Not the “can’t miss” rounds. Former Detroit general manager Matt Millen had plenty of “can’t miss” picks, who had careers most aptly compared to train wrecks.

These first three picks are instrumental to Detroit’s future success.

Schedule