Detroit Lions: Players and mistakes to avoid in the 2019 NFL Draft
Don’t reach when there are better value and depth available
Andraez “Greedy” Williams
Cornerback, LSU, 6-2, 185, 4.50
8 Int’s, 71 career tackles, stats HERE
Greedy Williams was an early fan favorite to land in Detroit due to the need at our other cornerback spot. Williams is from a school that has turned out a bunch of quality defensive backs, too. At times, Williams has been a lock-down cover man who possesses the size and athleticism that warrants a top ten pick.
Why is he probably a guy to pass on?
Again, here’s a player who fills a need. The Lions have been vulnerable via the pass for a long time because they haven’t found a running mate for Pro Bowler Darius Slay. However, this is a player who’s shown a propensity to be lazy tackling opponents, and whom many have questioned his ability to stay on the field, especially at the next level.
Not only the possible red flags for effort and durability but cornerbacks take a few years to be highly effective. The Lions front office swears that Detroit is ready to win now and many members of the core of the team are in their prime winning years now. Waiting three years for your first-round pick to be up to speed is costly.
A big issue here is, this was also an issue with Hockenson, if you look at the depth of the position in the draft, the Lions should be able to find cornerback (or tight end) talent later that is of better value. Few cornerbacks are drafted in the top ten for a reason.
Usually, those reasons are elite ball skills, elite speed and burst, strength, vertical jump, and super flexible hips that allow a cover man to react and stay with elite wide receivers. The Lions shouldn’t overdraft a guy just because they have a big hole to fill when they can draft and develop a couple of prospects.
This is an area where KCW expects Quinn to sign another player, honestly. It makes the most sense to go after a cover corner in free agency who can start while you develop a rookie or two behind that guy. It’s highly likely that a rookie isn’t a starter right away, so taking a player that high at a position with a steep learning curve makes less sense.
At best, if the player is talented enough, you let him learn on the job. Coaches will live with mistakes to the extent that a rookie is the best player or option at any given position. Receivers and cornerbacks are often developing for several years while flashing big potential from time-to-time.