NFL Draft 2019: Detroit Lions select T.J. Hockenson No. 8 overall
With the eighth overall selection in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions end all the speculation and finally select …
After ending last season with a disappointing 6-10 record, the Detroit Lions landed themselves in the basement of the NFC North. But the poor record also granted them the eighth overall selection in Thursday night’s first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Prior to the draft, the Lions were projected to have several needs including at cornerback, offensive guard, tight end, defensive end, running back, wide receiver and linebacker. With those needs in mind, here’s the selection the Lions’ made with their first-round pick.
With the eighth overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select …
NAME: T.J. Hockenson
POSITION: TE
SCHOOL: Iowa
HT/WT: 6-5, 251
AGE: 21
2018 Stats: 49 receptions, 760 yards, 6 tds
PROS: Excellent run blocker, Good hands, good route-runner, has the speed to separate
CONS: Slim frame, needs to further develop in pass pro
QUICK PICK ANALYSIS: Despite their poor draft history of taking tight ends in the first round recently, the Lions did attempt to trade for New England Patriots’ now retired tight end Rob Gronkowski just last season. Hockenson is the closest to Gronk the Lions could get in this draft class. The best overall tight end prospect in the draft now gives Detroit another offensive weapon for new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.
The Detroit Lions’ first-round selections since 2000
2018 – Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas
2017 – Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
2016 – Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
2015 – Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke
2014 – Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
2013 – Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
2012 – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
2011 – Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
2010 – Jahvid Best, RB, California
2010 – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska
2009 – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
2009 – Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
2008 – Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
2007 – Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
2006 – Ernie Sims, LB, Florida State
2005 – Mike Williams, WR, USC
2004 – Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech
2004 – Roy Williams, WR, Texas
2003 – Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State
2002 – Joey Harrington, QB, Oregon
2001 – Jeff Backus, OT, Michigan
2000 – Stockar McDougle, OT, Oklahoma
Next. 2019 NFL Mock Draft - All 7-Rounds, Every pick!. dark
Now that the selection is finally made, what do you think about the Detroit Lions’ top choice? Did they make the right pick? If not, who did they miss out on? Let us know in the comment section below. And be sure to check back often to SideLion Report for more draft coverage.