NFL Draft 2019: Detroit Lions select TE Isaac Nauta No. 224 overall

The Detroit Lions had two picks in the final round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Here is the selection they made with the first of those seventh round picks.

After having a very defensive heavy draft, the Detroit Lions picked up back-to-back offensive players (wide receiver Travis Fulgham, running back Ty Johnson) in the sixth round. The Lions also owned two selections in the seventh round. And the offensive trend continued.

The final round of the draft is often the round teams take chances on players who would otherwise be undrafted free agents. Here’s the Lions’ first selection out of their two in the seventh round.

With the 224th overall selection in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select …

NAME: Isaac Nauta
POSITION: Tight End
SCHOOL: Georgia
HT/WT: 6-3, 244
2018 STATS: 30 recs, 430 yards, 3 tds
PROS: Gets separation, good pass catcher
CONS: Plays tall, poor leverage, lacks YAC

QUICK ANALYSIS: This could represent a full platoon swap at the tight end position in the Motor City. Still, Nauta will struggle to find playing time behind T.J. Hockenson and Jesse James. Could find himself in a battle for a spot on the 53-man roster with former fourth rounder Michael Roberts and former quarterback Logan Thomas.

Detroit Lions’ seventh round selections since 2000

2018 – Nick Bawden, RB – San Diego St.
2017 – Pat O’Connor, DE – East. Michigan
2016 – Dwayne Washington, RB – Washington
2015 – Corey Robinson, T – South Carolina
2014 – Nate Freese, K – Boston College
2013 – Brandon Hepburn, LB – Florida A&M
2013 – Michael Williams, TE – Alabama
2012 – Travis Lewis, LB – Oklahoma
2011 – Johnny Culbreath, OL – South Carolina St.
2010 – Tim Toone, WR – Weber St.
2010 – Willie Young, DE – North Carolina St.
2009 – Zack Follett, LB – California
2009 – Dan Gronkowski, TE – Maryland
2009 – Lydon Murtha, T – Nebraska
2008 – Caleb Campbell, DB – Army
2008 – Landon Cohen, DT – Ohio
2007 – Ramzee Robinson, DB – Alabama
2006 – Fred Matua, G – USC
2006 – Anthony Cannon, LB – Tulane
2003 – Ben Johnson, T – Wisconsin
2003 – Travis Anglin, WR – Memphis
2003 – Brandon Drumm, RB – Colorado
2003 – Blue Adams, DB – Cincinnati
2002 – Luke Staley, RB – BYU
2002 – Matt Murphy, TE – Maryland
2002 – Victor Rogers, T -Colorado
2000 – Alfonso Boone, DT – Mount San Antonio JC

This late in the draft, did the Detroit Lions actually find value? Do you agree with adding yet another tight end? Reveal your thoughts about this selection and the rest of the Lions’ draft class in the comment section below. And please keep checking back here at SideLion Report for more draft coverage.