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Detroit Lions 2019 NFL Draft: 3 controversial first round picks

By Michael Kirkland

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks the pass intended for Carson Meier #45 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks the pass intended for Carson Meier #45 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Lions braintrust
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

The Detroit Lions draft slot is set, the Lions have a lot to decide. Fans should consider these three controversial options at pick eight.

The Detroit Lions closed a disappointing season, with a 6-10 record, last Sunday with a win over division rival, the Green Bay Packers. Opinions were split over whether fans should be happy with a sixth win that causes the team’s draft slot to go from fifth to eighth.

Whichever side you fall on, there’s little consensus about what to do with that eighth pick in the first round now that it’s ours. We’ll look at three prospects that people cannot agree upon that might be there for the Lions to take.

If you follow any amount of Lions social media accounts on any app you’ll see that there are a few prospects that almost everyone would feel great about the Lions drafting in Round 1. Names like edge-linebacker Josh Allen and cornerback Greedy Williams would garner near 100% approval if selected this coming April. However, the life of a Lions fan is almost never that easy.

Selecting eighth also means that seven players are going to be selected prior to the Lions getting a chance to send a card to the podium. Here at Kick in the Crotch Weekly, we are not trying to insult your intelligence but only pointing out that you only seven players come off of the board before we get our pick, barring a trade-down.

After looking at a bunch of mock drafts and rankings the only real consensus is that Quinnen Williams and Nick Bosa, both defensive linemen, will be selected one and two (in some order). After that few things are certain. With the depth and quality of defensive line options available, for sure several more will be taken high. Ed Oliver and Rashan Gary are two other names that will be called by the tenth overall pick.

Aside from the defensive linemen and popular picks, we have to take into account the Lions’ needs. After trading away receiver Golden Tate, watching cornerback Teez Tabor fail to take a starting role in his second year, among other shortcomings, there are a plethora of needs to address. Edge rusher, cornerback, tight end, wide receiver, offensive line, safety, linebacker, and quarterback are all areas in need of an upgrade.

The following picks are in no particular order but all three are outside the most popular fan picks. KCW uses NFL Draft Scout for data and some ranking information but will also consult CBS Sports, Bleacher Report, Drafttek, and The Draft Network for a variety of opinions.

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