Detroit Lions get costly win and eighth pick in 2019 draft
The Detroit Lions were able to shutout the Green Bay Packers at home in Week 17. But the hollow victory could cost the Pride dearly in 2019 and beyond.
In the ultimate “where has that been all season” moment, the Detroit Lions absolutely destroyed the Green Bay Packers 31-0 in their own house, Lambeau Field, on Sunday afternoon. The Week 17 divisional battle matched two NFC North teams already eliminated from playoff contention.
The only real impact the outcome of this contest would make is on the Lions’ 2019 draft status. Before the game, Detroit had a slim chance to get the second overall selection in next year’s draft. If the Lions lost to the Packers, they’d would receive a top-five pick in the first round at the very least.
Despite knowing this, Detroit’s first-year head coach Matt Patricia decided to treat a meaningless Week 17 contest like it was the Super Bowl. And as a result, the Lions have now fallen out of the top-five portion of the 2019 NFL Draft and have been locked in at number eight overall. But what you also have to remember is this drop not only impacts the first round, but every other round in April’s draft as well.
In exchange for a pointless victory against the Packers, Detroit has put themselves in worse position to improve when it comes to the most important tool needed to grow your roster – the draft. And the Lions seem content to pick later in every round of the draft in exchange for one last victory Sunday.
Yet, picking eighth overall is certainly not a death sentence. There have been plenty of great players chosen at that pick. Hall of Famers like offensive tackle Willie Roaf, wide receiver Lance Alworth, fullback Larry Csonka and safety Ronnie Lott were all selected at that spot in their respective drafts.
Some more recent eight overall selections include the Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith, the Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey and the Atlanta Falcons’ pass rusher Vic Beasley.
Next. What if Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia don’t succeed in 2019?. dark
With general manager Bob Quinn at the helm of his fourth draft in Detroit, the Lions seem to be in good hands. Unfortunately, I think they traded for short-term victory rather than possible long term success. But such is the life in the Motor City.