Detroit Lions draft ‘hits’ are a reason for hope
During the tenure of Bob Quinn, the Detroit Lions have had more hits than misses in the NFL Draft. And that has been a reason to hope.
The Detroit Lions have proven themselves in recent years to be fairly trustworthy when it comes to building this team. Although the Lions are willing to dive into free agency to help provide additional veteran talent to this roster, the draft has been their bread and butter.
Unfortunately, there have been some very public misses, particularity in the first round. But ever since Bob Quinn took over as general manager for the Lions in 2016, the draft has been a reason for fans to have hope for a brighter future.
That hasn’t always been the case in the Motor City.
Prior to Quinn’s arrival, the Lions had swung and missed on their previous two first rounders. Those players being Duke guard Laken Tomlinson in 2015 and North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron the year before. Despite being picked relatively recently, neither player is on the Lions’ current roster.
But both draft busts can still revive their careers and ultimately prove Detroit was right to have initial faith in them. Tomlinson has found new life with the San Francisco 49ers. He started in 15 games for the Niners in 2017 and just inked a three-year contract extension worth up to $18 million. Tomlinson is expected to start at left guard for San Francisco this upcoming season.
As for Ebron, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts as a free agent earlier this year in order to play with quarterback Andrew Luck. And according to early reports, the fifth-year tight end has been impressive this offseason with new head coach Frank Reich going so far to call him “elite“.
Although their play doesn’t benefit the Lions at all, the first rounders that are still on the team are considered foundational pieces on this roster. From Matthew Stafford to Ziggy Ansah to this year’s top pick, Frank Ragnow; Detroit seems to have hit on several of their top picks in the past decade. And that’s had a major impact on the trajectory of this team.
"“From quarterback Matthew Stafford in 2009 to left guard Frank Ragnow this year, the Lions have drafted 11 players in the first round in the last 10 years,” wrote Mike O’Hara for the team’s official website. “Only two were not active in 2017. The other nine were consistent starters – five for the Lions, four for other teams after leaving Detroit either as free agents or in trade.”"
Here are all the Lions’ first round selections since Stafford’s selection, all the way back to 2009.
2018 – Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas
2017 – Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
2016 – Taylor Decker, T, Ohio State
2015 – Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke
2014 – Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
2013 – Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
2012 – Riley Reiff, T, Iowa
2011 – Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
2010 – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
2010 – Jahvid Best, RB, California
2009 – Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
Prior to 2016, only Stafford and Ansah remain on the current roster in Detroit. But both are considered the top, veteran players on their sides of the field. Although the argument could be made for 2013 second rounder in Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay as well.
Next: Was the NFL’s ranking of Matthew Stafford fair?
The point here is the Detroit Lions have had more hits than misses in the draft under Bob Quinn, specifically in the most important round. Ragnow appears to be just the latest one. That should give fans hope for the future.