Detroit Lions: Players and mistakes to avoid in the 2019 NFL Draft

Detroit Lions needs

The Lions need to generate more pressure from the edge on defense, this means acquiring a defensive end or outside linebacker who is a good athlete with pass rush skills. The Lions have few options outside of linebackers Devon Kennard and Jarrad Davis, so depth there is a need. The interior of the line looks solid with rookie Da’Shawn Hand, Damon Harrison, and A’Shawn Robinson all playing the run well.

A middle linebacker and overall depth at linebacker are necessary, especially with Jarrad Davis looking like he found a new home at weakside linebacker.

A second starter at cornerback is obvious but the depth behind Pro Bowler, Darius Slay, is suspect.  If Glover Quin, safety, retires or leaves the secondary would need help behind Tracy Walker, a rookie who played well when called upon.

The receiver corp, which includes tight ends, fullbacks, and H-backs, is lacking a burner, fast receiver, or playmaker from the slot. A starting tight end and another receiver look necessary to help the offense stretch the field. Wide receiver T.J. Jones did not look like the versatile, multi-tool answer to losing Golden Tate via trade during the season, not to mention the health of the other starters was a challenge to the depth chart.

An under-discussed issue is the lack of development of offensive tackle Taylor Decker, who has dealt with injuries but hasn’t seemed to progress enough after a very good rookie campaign. According to Pro Football Focus, his overall grade (70.4, above average) ranked him 35th among qualifying tackles. 2018 was a better year for Decker but his position outside of the top 30 tackles is troubling for a former first-round pick.

Here are the grades for the whole offense from Pro Football Focus, via their Lions account on Twitter:

The other issues to navigate are two large contracts to starters T.J. Lang, right guard, and Rick Wagner, right tackle, who will both be making in excess of $11 million for next year. Luckily, a fifth-round selection, Tyrell Crosby, has played very well and could allow the Lions to let go of a high-priced lineman. Neither Wagner nor Lang has played a full season in their two campaigns, with Lang missing ten games to back, neck, and head injuries in 2018.

Lastly, depth is needed behind quarterback Matthew Stafford and running back Kerryon Johnson, with players moving on like LeGarrette Blount. The need at running back is more significant due to Johnson missing six games and thus probably will require a higher pick to address it. If a very good quarterback prospect is sitting there in the middle rounds, don’t expect Quinn to look the other way, he knows Stafford needs a more competent backup than Matt Cassel.

Detroit Lions draft considerations

Bob Quinn had a really nice class last year, which looks to have filled or produced future starters at as many as six positions. Rookies Frank Ragnow, Kerryon Johnson, Tracy Walker, Da’Shawn Hand, Tyrell Crosby, and Nick Bawden could all be starters as soon as the start of the 2019 season. There are some players on the list of likely draftees that should be prioritized by several factors, all of which we have seen the front office screw up historically.