The Detroit Lions 2018 draft is like a running joke
By Robert Jones
Third Round Pick Number 82 Overall
This was the second head-scratcher as the Lions selected Louisiana-Lafayette safety Tracy Walker.
We all know by now that Walker is the second cousin to current Lions cornerback Darius Slay and apparently Slay isn’t that good on the hardwood according to Walker.
As for the pick itself, getting another safety prospect wasn’t a bad idea. Glover Quin won’t play forever and eventually they will need a replacement. Walker is a good athlete and another player I like, but much like my reaction to Ragnow, not in the third round.
The lowdown: This kid is a playmaker, but he didn’t play against consistently high level competition which means he has plenty to learn. If he’s a quick learner he may surprise us all. However, only time will tell.
Fourth Round Pick Number 118 Overall
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The Lions traded back up into the fourth round to select Alabama defensive end Da’Shawn Hand.
The Lions needs on the defensive line were finally addressed with this pick and when you look at this kid he was chiseled out to be a 3-4 defensive end. He should also be able to contribute as a pass-rushing tackle in the 4-3.
The biggest downside to Hand is that he never really lived up to his billing as the best high school player in the country before joining the Crimson Tide. This could in part be due to the scheme they run at Alabama, but the fact of the matter is that he should have been more of a difference maker.
The lowdown: This kid a huge athlete. Maybe not a great football player, but a tremendous athlete. This is were the Lions are banking on Matt Patricia’s ability to get the most out of his players. If he can do that with Hand, then the Lions will have just acquired an impact defender.
If not…
Fifth Round Pick Number 153 Overall
Oregon Tackle Tyrell Crosby fell into their laps.
The Lions may have found a talented swing tackle that could be groomed to eventually take over for Rick Wagner on the right side.
Crosby did not surrender a single sack last season and really fell further in the draft than expected. In other words, the Lions came up with a value pick and they were right to jump on it.
The lowdown: Crosby has some good tools to work with and given some decent health on the Lions offensive line. He should have some time time to learn his trade and hopefully become a solid contributor when needed and eventually develop into a starter.