Detroit Lions draft: Offensive line options beyond the first round
This year
Bob Quinn is going into his third draft. Draft one saw him take two linemen. Last year, he selected zero offensive help up front, instead opting to focus on linebackers and cornerbacks. If Detroit hopes to get out of the basement in line play, there must be an infusion of talent along both lines. Year three is pivotal, since Detroit is hoping to contend for a division title and possibly a …..alright, I won’t say it; they’re hoping to win “multiple postseason games.” How about that?
The argument for line help, revisited
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To rehash my argument for early help up front: the Lions spend more than half of their cap on offense, including roughly half of that on quarterback, Matt Stafford. The line is like insurance for a quarterback. Deficiencies along the line have produced poor stats in both the run game and pass protection, more so than any other statistical areas; the run game was last in 2017, and the line gave up the seventh worst amount of quarterback sacks.
Injuries were a major contributing factor, but these injured players are being counted on to improve from the failed 2017 campaign. No other starter has been brought in to address the left guard position; Quinn paid top dollar last year to bring in a right tackle, Rick Wagner, and right guard,T.J. Lang, which did not improve results. Both men are in the top few highest-paid salaries at their respective positions, too.
If the Lions brain trust is going to find a left guard, or address the depth at left tackle, it has to be via the draft. Other methods proved to be ineffective. Detroit signed free agents, raided practice squads, and even traded for tackle. The symptoms listed above, and poor production, have been indicative of the Caldwell era, which was a continuation of post-Barry Lions history.
Lions offseason cycle: “Next year will be better.” Rank last in rushing. Repeat.
Round one
Hypothetically, then, let’s assume that the Lions draft Harold Landry(why not?) in round one. The other popular picks would be more defensive linemen (Marcus Davenport, Da’Ron Payne, Vita Vea, etc.). The next most popular pick is possibly selecting a running back, like Derrius Guice. Bob Quinn, general manager, will inevitably say that he took the best player available, anyway.
We can also assume that with his other five picks he’s going to do, or try, a few things. One thing is to trade down. We know that more picks equals more swings at getting good athletes; six picks is also tied for least among NFL teams going into the draft. Quinn has also verbally said that he’d like more picks, but who wouldn’t?
Looking at the list of players worked out by, or that the Lions have met with, you can get a good idea of who they like. At very least, you can see what kind of prospect they seek at a given position.