The Detroit Lions best draft picks by round since 2009

Seventh Round – Willie Young, DE

Back in 2010, Martin Mayhew drafted a defensive end from North Carolina State named Willie Young. Primarily Young was used on special teams but he saw action in 48 games, starting fifteen. Young was on the Lions roster for four years before signing with the Bears for his last four.

Not a bad deal for a rotational player and good backup who can play special teams. The Lions have had a problem finding talent that plays as much as Young in round two, so this definitely qualifies as a good pick. Running back Dwayne Washington (2016) and offensive tackle Corey Robinson (2015) were both contenders here, too; both men have given the Motor City some decent play compared to their seventh-round draft status.

Sixth Round – Quandre Diggs, SS

There were a few candidates close to earning the best sixth-round designation but in the end, it wasn’t that close. Quandre Diggs, drafted out of the University of Texas as a defensive back, is the best sixth-round player and has converted to being a very nice strong safety. Anthony Zettel, defensive end, T.J. Jones, wide receiver, and Theo Riddick, running back, are all pretty solid candidates, though, too.

Diggs is one of only a couple of players left over from the pre-Quinn era, from the 2015 draft. He has flashed great tackling ability, playmaking ability, and is a fan favorite for good reason. He played all sixteen games, had 78 tackles, eight passes defended, and three interceptions in 2018 according to NFL dot com.

There’s a surprising log-jam of players to pick from here. Four good picks out of ten is a higher ratio of good picks that the Detroit Lions usually enjoy.