Detroit Lions 2018 NFL Draft: Grading each pick
player. Pick Analysis. ALABAMA. DA'SHAWN HAND. 50. Scouting Report. DEFENSIVE TACKLE. B
The New England Patroits appear to love drafting players from Alabama. As the Pats’ former defensive coordinator, new Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia seemed to bring that same influence into the Motor City’s war room.
Like Walker drafted a round before him, the Lions view Da’Shawn Hand as a versatile piece they can used across their defensive line. And they even traded a 2019 third round selection to get back into the fourth round to draft him.
The Alabama defender now gets thrown into the mix with fellow schoolmate A’Shawn Robinson to help man the interior of the defensive line in Detroit, with the capability to move outside when they swap from a 4-3 to a 3-4.
Strangely, Hand was the only front seven defender to be selected in this draft class by Detroit. It was presumed to be a big need for the Lions. Instead, this became a more offensive draft for the team, with four of their six picks on that side of the ball.
A projected Day Two pick, moving up for Hand in the fourth round represented good value.