Detroit Lions: Fixing the team via the 2019 NFL Draft, Part II

Tight end

The Lions tried to bring in Rob Gronkowski this past offseason, so clearly they are not happy with the current situation. How early they are willing to invest a pick after having problems with former top ten pick, Eric Ebron, no one knows for sure.

Noah Fant, TE, Iowa: 6-4, 241, 4.78, Noah Fant is a good receiver who isn’t asked to block that often. Fants hands are reliable and he would probably not cost a first-round pick. Perhaps a 2nd-3rd would buy his services.

Alize Mack, TE, Notre Dame: 6-4, 247, 4.73, Mack is another receiver in a long line of Irish tight ends. Mack could be the most talented TE, and has the size and body control to blossom in a pro offense. His price tag could be a borderline first-second pick.

Slot receiver

I would put this as a lower priority need. Golden Tate, the Lions best in-space receiver is going to be a free agent in 2019, according to the website Spotrac. It is widely speculated that another team will outbid the Lions for his services.

The emergence of outside receiver Kenny Golladay, in his second year, makes replacing Tate less urgent because the pair of Golladay and Marvin Jones, Jr. is pretty good without Tate on the field.

Quinn may opt for a lower priced free agent and a late round pick to replace Tate if he believes that they don’t have enough cap space to keep him. Brandon Powell, already on the roster, may also be called upon to fill that role, too. Running back, Theo Riddick can function much like a slot player, as well.

Jarvis Landry, of the Cleveland Browns, was given a 5-year, $75.5 million dollar contract coming into this year; Tate is considered a similar type of player, although Tate is 5 years older (30 compared to 25). Tate has been the leading receiver since Calvin Johnson left in 2016.

KJ Hill, WR, Ohio St.: 6-0, 198, 4.49, Hill is a versatile athlete with good hands, but not imposing outside size. Hill makes big plays, stops and starts quickly, and could provide similar options to what Tate brings to the Detroit offense. The big point is the cost in terms of pick value; if Hill is there in a middle round, he might be a good addition.

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