Now to be sure, these Lions have plenty of holes on their roster to be filled and the most tried and true way to build a contender is through smart drafting to create the core of a contender, then sprinkle in a few key acquisitions in free agency and trades to address the final needs.
But here’s the thing, none of that happens unless there is someone in charge that knows what they are doing and actually makes those moves. Then smart coaching brings it all together on the field.
Where the Lions have truly failed in the past has been in the front office and coaching.
This franchise has either been unable to maximize their draft selections or unable to get the most out of them on the field.
Consider this; back in 2014 the Lions sent their fans base into pandemonium after they used the 10th overall pick in the draft to select tight end Eric Ebron instead of addressing what was already expected to be a need at defensive tackle by taking Aaron Donald.
Last Sunday was just the latest example of why the Lions should have taken Donald, but here is the hidden point in this whole mess; look at how productive Ebron has been with the Colts this year?
The Lions front office blundered a chance to get a Hall of Fame talent at a critical position of need, then followed that mistake up by not reaching the potential of the player they did draft.
Now that’s classic Detroit Lions.
That’s also why fans cheering for the Lions to lose in order for them to get a higher draft pick is misguided in a way.
Because the biggest point moving forward is how this team corrects those mistakes. Bob Quinn needs to hit on most of his draft picks and acquisitions, while Matt Patricia has to get the most out of the players that Quinn provides him with or else nothing will stop this franchise from continuing to be the ‘same old Lions’.