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What will the Detroit Lions do in round one of the draft?

By James F. Puzzuoli

NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Detroit Lions #1 draft pick Matthew Stafford poses for photographers with his family after his selection in the 2009 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2009 in New York City (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Detroit Lions #1 draft pick Matthew Stafford poses for photographers with his family after his selection in the 2009 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2009 in New York City (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: UTEP offensive lineman Will Hernandez in action during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: UTEP offensive lineman Will Hernandez in action during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

First Round Verdict – WAIT

Guard Will Hernandez out of UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso) is the only player worth taking from the available interior lineman. Hernadez’s best attribute is his run blocking. And we all know the Detroit Lions could use an upgrade to that part of their game.

The other interior lineman that has been linked with Detroit: center James Daniels (Iowa). Honestly, there is risk with this pick. He too is skilled as a run blocker, but knee injuries are a concern. With all of the injury issues with center Travis Swanson the past few years, Daniels feels like a pass in the first round.

If Hernandez is gone, a better pick would be at tackle: Kolton Miller (UCLA) and Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame) are the guys that might be available. Both are better options than Daniels because they are capable of playing at tackle. They could take a year or two and learn at guard and eventually be moved to tackle full-time.

In the end, this hole at guard/center can be filled by someone on the roster or with a pick in rounds two through seven. Yes, there is a need. But most of the guys available don’t have first round value.

Next: Detroit Lions: 15 best first-round draft picks of all-time

The best thing that can happen for the Lions is a run of quarterbacks ahead of them on Thursday night. Four quarterbacks will definitely be selected (five is certainly a possibility). When that happens, the Detroit Lions should have plenty of options. And Bob Quinn and company should acquire another big-time talent.

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