NFL Draft 2018: Detroit Lions make Tracy Walker their third round pick

In a continuing effort to improve their roster, the Detroit Lions opted to make Tracy Walker their third round selection, 82nd overall.

The Detroit Lions completely ignored the defensive side of the ball in the first two rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft, selecting center Frank Ragnow and trading up for running back Kerryon Johnson. In the third round, the Lions finally turned their focus to defense. Here’s who they selected …

With the 82nd overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select … 

NAME: Tracy Walker
POSITION: Safety
SCHOOL: Louisiana-Lafayette
HT/WT: 6-0, 206 pounds
AGE: 23-years old
PROS: frame, wingspan, rangy player, special teams, good vision, hard hitter
CONS: strength, risk adverse, lack of burst

2017 Stats: 97 tackles, 8 pass defends, 2 ints

ANALYSIS: The Lions appear to have more pressing needs on their defensive front seven, but elected to use their third round pick on a defensive back in Walker. Expected to be a rangy free safety in the NFL, Walker could provide some depth behind 32-year old starter Glover Quin while also being a core special teams player for Detroit. The Lions could also see him as a versatile player who can fill-in all over the secondary.

Here are the Lions’ third round selections since 2000

2017 – Kenny Golladay, WR – Northern Illinois
2016 – Graham Glasgow, C – Michigan
2015 – Alex Carter, CB – Stanford
2014 – Travis Swanson, C – Arkansas
2013 – Larry Warford, G – Kentucky
2012 – Bill Bentley, DB – Louisiana-Lafayette
2011 – No Pick
2010 – Amari Spievey, DB – Iowa
2009 – DeAndre Levy, LB – Wisconsin
2009 – Derrick Williams, WR – Penn St.
2008 – Kevin Smith, RB – Central Florida
2008 – Andre Fluellen, DT – Florida St.
2008 – Cliff Avril, LB – Purdue
2007 – No Pick
2006 – Brian Calhoun, RB – Wisconsin
2005 – Stanley Wilson, DB – Stanford
2004 – Keith Smith, DB – McNeese St.
2003 – Cory Redding, DE – Texas
2002 – Andre’ Goodman, DB – South Carolina
2001 – No Pick
2000 – Reuben Droughns, RB – Oregon

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

At the end of Day Two, the Detroit Lions now have three rookies on the roster. But did they find the right guys? How would you have done things differently to improve football in the Motor City? Let us know what you think in the comment section below and stick with SideLion Report for more draft coverage.