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Detroit Lions 2019 NFL Draft order: If it started today …

By Steven Mullenax

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: The Top Draft prospects pose on stage prior to the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: The Top Draft prospects pose on stage prior to the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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If the 2019 NFL Draft started today, where in the first round would the Detroit Lions land and what’s the recent history of that selection? Let’s find out.

According to CBSSports.com, the 4-7 Detroit Lions have a 1.6 percent chance of making the playoffs this season. Sitting in the basement of the NFC North standings, the upcoming matchup against the 10-1 Los Angeles Rams could be the final nail in the Lions’ coffin that is 2018.

With the last month of the regular season still to be played, Detroit will undoubtedly start setting their sights on fielding a much better performance in 2019. And next year’s draft will be key in retooling the roster in the Motor City.

Sitting at 4-7, if the 2019 NFL Draft started today, the Lions would own the eighth overall selection in the first round. It would be the highest pick Detroit has possessed since 2013 when they selected pass rusher Ezekiel Ansah with the fifth overall selection that year.

Here’s a list of all the players selected eighth overall in the NFL draft for the past ten years.

2018 – Roquan Smith, LB – Chicago Bears
2017 – Christian McCaffrey, RB – Carolina Panthers
2016 – Jack Conklin, OT, Tennessee Titans
2015 – Vic Beasley, DE – Atlanta Falcons
2014 – Justin Gilbert, CB – Cleveland Browns
2013 – Tavon Austin, WR – St. Louis Rams
2012 – Ryan Tannehill, QB – Miami Dolphins
2011 –  Jake Locker , QB – Tennessee Titans
2010 – Rolando McClain, LB – Oakland Raiders
2009 – Eugene Monroe, OT – Jacksonville Jaguars

Out of the above group, only one (Beasley – 2016) has been selected to a Pro Bowl. In fact, there are some monumental busts selected in this group. With players like Locker and Gilbert highlighting that infamous list.

Next. If Matthew Stafford goes, then everyone must go. dark

Obviously, as we sit in late November, the Detroit Lions season is far from over. And getting themselves a top-ten selection certainly doesn’t guarantee them selecting a future superstar. But the Lions have several needs to fill next offseason. And as this season continues to slip away, it’s hard not to look ahead, hoping for better days to come.

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