Detroit Lions 2019 NFL Draft: Who will be the Day Two picks?

Detroit Lions needs

Briefly, we’ll highlight the deficiencies of the roster.

Defense

Linebackers or edge players

This area is helped by the addition of edge player Trey Flowers but it’s still not a deep unit nor do any of the players earned a personal reputation for being great. There’s some potential and some solid, playable talent but the unit lacks flash. Devon Kennard is a good player, Jarrad Davis has made some strides, Christian Jones is a guy that can start.

The season cannot hang on Flowers’ health if the Lions are going to move forward toward being a contender.

Secondary

Gone is the leader of the back end, Glover Quin. Darius Slay, a cornerback, returns as the one truly dangerous playmaker of the safeties and cornerbacks. Quandre Diggs can come up with big hits and turnovers, as well; Tracy Walker is thrust into a more prominent role and has to prove himself a worthy successor to Quin as a safety.

Rashaan Melvin and Justin Coleman were added in free agency to bolster the cornerbacks, both in the slot and opposite Slay. Many people feel that the Lions still need help here. There are some other players who were added last year who provided some good minutes, too.

Defensive line

A relative strength since Damon “Snacks” Harrison showed up via trade early last year. The defensive line still needs to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and be more consistent stopping the run. Da’Shawn Hand, a versatile end or tackle, had a nice rookie campaign, prior to his injury Hand was outperforming his fourth-round draft status and looks to be a good starter moving forward.

A’Shawn Robinson and Romeo Okwara provide good depth behind an improving unit. Trey Flowers serves a dual-purpose defensive end and edge linebacker role and helps upgrade that hybrid position in the defense which is often in nickel, 3-3-5, or dime defensive formations.