The Detroit Lions top 7 ‘buyer remorse’ first-round draft choices
By Robert Jones
![NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell poses for a photo with Nick Fairley, #13 overall pick by the Detroit Lions, during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell poses for a photo with Nick Fairley, #13 overall pick by the Detroit Lions, during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9292b60c4e837ac171b91d2d26bb634da35bb0f70fa902fc68045cc5833fc4af.jpg)
Buyers remorse is common in Detroit
What if the Detroit Lions were to get the second pick in the draft and Bob Quinn selects Alabama receiver Jerry Jeudy or Georgia tackle Andrew Thomas? These are quality players that would be legitimate additions to improve the Lions offense and build around, but what about the defense?
Let’s be honest, the Cincinnati Bengals could go rogue with the first overall pick and select Chase Young, but considering their head coach Zac Taylor is an offensive coach and trying to build that franchise, the obvious choice would appear to be taking LSU quarterback Joe Burrow so they don’t have to continue to be saddled with Andy Dalton.
The point, however, is simple; last year Bob Quinn used the eighth overall pick on tight end T.J. Hockenson when they could have selected defensive tackle Ed Oliver or linebacker Devin Bush. Either of which would have made the Lions defense better on their own.
This isn’t to say that Hockenson won’t be a good player. I actually expect him to be an outstanding player that Lions fans will be very happy to have. But when you consider how poorly this defense has been, it’s understandable for the fans to have ‘buyers remorse’ about Hockenson.
Perhaps even Quinn and Patricia have some ‘buyers remorse’ as well.
Every NFL team and their fan base have had ‘buyers remorse’ about free agent signings or draft picks, but does anyone had more reasons to feel that way then Lions fans? Every year our ‘Super Bowl’ comes in April, long before the season even begins.
Each year Lions fans gather around ESPN or the NFL Network to see what player will be the chosen to turn around the franchise. Some years have been glorious like 1989 when they chose Barry Sanders or 2007 when Calvin Johnson was selected.
However, most years seem to be more filled with ‘buyers regret’ at least by the fans. Whether it be Matt Millen drafting yet another receiver in the first round or another can’t miss quarterback who can’t play and fades away to oblivion.
As a Lions fan, you don’t have to look too hard to find those regrettable player moves, but it does bring us to this question; what do you consider to be the biggest ‘buyer remorse’ draft choice in Detroit Lions history?