Detroit Lions 2019 Draft Prospect: Offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom

SideLion Report continues to pour over possible targets for the Detroit Lions in the upcoming draft. Today, it’s Boston College offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom.

Prospect: Chris Lindstrom
Position/School: Offensive line / Boston College
Height/Weight: 6-4, 308
2018 stats: 12 games played, 12 starts
Draft Projection: 1st-2nd round

If you’re having trouble getting excited about the idea of Oday Aboushi, Kenny Wiggins or Joe Dahl as an opening day starter at right guard for the Detroit Lions in 2019, you’re probably not alone. There is some talk of giving second year lineman Tyrell Crosby a look on the interior, but he has strictly been a tackle in college and in his rookie season, so the trepidation is valid. Selecting Boston College interior offensive lineman Chris Lindstrom in the upcoming draft could certainly ease some of those concerns.

As long as Bob Quinn is general manager of the Lions, rest assured that he will prioritize preventing the offensive line from becoming a liability. Addressing the offensive trenches has been a major focus in each offseason with him at the helm. Despite having the previously mentioned veteran options currently on the roster, a player like Lindstrom would be a good fit with one of the Lions’ early picks.

Lindstrom is about as solid as it gets when it comes to evaluating offensive line prospects in this draft. Many of the lineman that are projected to be first round choices ahead of him are college tackles that seem ticketed to become guards or centers in the NFL. There is no such waffling when it comes to Lindstrom; he will play on the inside at the next level, and he will do it well.

Lindstrom is an athletic, quick player who, despite somewhat short arms, should have no problem matching up with the fleet footed defensive lineman and edge rushers across the NFC. He is gifted at finishing blocks at the first and second level, as BC’s run-heavy, dump-off-centered offense necessitated during his tenure. He would be a great tool for the Lions’ projected run-oriented game plan under new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.

The Lions won’t consider Lindstrom with their draft first choice, currently slotted at eighth overall. However, It’s possible that Lindstrom is off the board when their second pick arrives at 43. Can’t you see the New England Patriots going after him with the final pick in round one? Perhaps that’s why he seems to be a good fit with the Lions as well, and why a move up in the second round could make sense for the second year in a row.

With a NFL-ready frame and demeanor, Lindstrom is a low-risk prospect that almost any NFL team would love to add. He would fit well on the Lions’ front along with their other high-investment players in that unit. He is unlikely to make it past the early part of the second round, so if the Lions like him enough, their high-capital spending on the offensive line will have to continue.

Do you think that Chris Lindstrom would be a good draft selection for the Detroit Lions with one of their early picks? Let us know in the comments section below.