Detroit Lions: Can a high draft pick really save this team?

The second part of the story is maximizing the talents of those draft picks. That is where Matt Patricia and his staff come into the equation. The ability of Patricia and his staff to use those players properly and develop them to their full potential will be huge.

In case no one has noticed the Lions defense has taken some major steps forward over the last six weeks. They have gone from undisciplined and clueless to being one of the better defenses in the NFL over that period of time.

They still have plenty of room for improvement and needs in the front seven and the secondary, but with additional talent that is on the same page as the current keepers the Lions have, imagine what this unit can become? There may be hope after all.

Now that doesn’t mean the offensive weaknesses shouldn’t be addressed, especially at offensive coordinator. But the return of Kerryon Johnson, Marvin Jones and the addition of a tight end that can be a weapon, combined with an imaginative play-caller certainly has possibilities.

The long and short of it is simple; the Lions have much work to be done this offseason and even if they found a way to get the first pick in the draft and selected defensive end Nick Bosa of Ohio State, who should be a monster pass-rusher in the NFL, that pick alone won’t send the Lions to the Super Bowl.

There’s just too much else to do.

High draft picks are great, but until the Lions consistently put together successful draft classes and turn those picks into a well-oiled machine on the field, the draft dreams mean nothing.

Both Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia will be the biggest keys to what players the Lions acquire and how they develop. Despite this lost season, I would still say I trust in them more than almost all of the previous failed regimes, but that doesn’t mean anything if it doesn’t translate into wins.

Next year will be a new season. Until then, they need to keep this locker room engaged and buying into the Matt Patricia way, have a very good offseason, then return to the field with their roster upgrades next season and become a winner.

Because actions speak louder than words. No matter what name Roger Goodell announces the Lions have selected in the draft.