The Detroit Lions have created the perfect draft scenario
By Robert Jones
After a fruitful run in free agency, the Detroit Lions have put themselves in the position every general manager dreams of; having options in the draft.
The Detroit Lions have started their work on next season with a vengeance. This is not to say that the rest of the league hasn’t, but what general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia have done already has re-defined the Lions roster.
Now does that mean there are no holes to be filled? Certainly not. Every team has some needs to be addressed at all times, but the teams that are contenders not only tend to have talented lineups but also tend to have quality depth that capably fills in when needed.
As we stare down the oncoming 2019 NFL draft which is basically only a month away, the Lions offseason moves have put them in the enviable position of having options.
Every team enters the draft with a shopping list. Usually, the shopping list for good teams is more of a suggestive buyers guide because their needs tend to be more minimal compared to the 500 or below outfits in the league.
Those below average units will arrive at the draft with definite needs. They need a quarterback or linebacker or receiver or safety or whatever the case may be and are trying to get the best talent available to them at that position. In many cases, it’s multiple positions that have to be addressed and then the juggling act begins trying to get the best value while filling their needs.
The Detroit Lions finished last season a lowly 6-10. They are technically one of the ‘have nots’ of the league which is why they are picking at number eight. Yet underachieving was as much one of the reasons for that less than glorious final record as well as injuries to key personnel.
If we would also like to add that they weren’t able to figure out how to effectively play Matt Patricia’s defense until Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison came along and helped pave the way to becoming a much better unit, then we realize that these Lions battled through a lot of adversity.
However, after all of that, Bob Quinn has still been able to create the advantage of having options heading into the draft.