Here is a name that should sound familiar to you after his impressive NFL Combine showing. The athletic and speedy linebacker from MSU, Willie Gay Jr., has seen his stock rise from a mid-day three draft pick (rounds five to six) to a third-round draft pick. Despite some injury concerns and a suspension in college, Gay Jr. is the linebacker missing from the current position group the Lions are fielding.
The Lions have plenty of linebackers that can defend against the run and rush the passer from time to time as well. The one thing they don’t have is a linebacker that can adequately cover pass catchers. Linebacker Jahlani Tavai showed limited promise in that area his rookie season but ultimately the Lions need to add someone to the group they can rely on to consistently keep up with pass catchers.
Gay plays loosely and smoothly allowing him to stay with his assignment step for step. He is also constantly following the football, trying to make plays every down. He only had four passes that he successfully knocked down in college, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
Despite the limited statistical proof, Gay would be an asset in coverage for Detroit and probably their only one at the position. Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave him very favorable coverage grades over his last three seasons while at MSU.
Gay saw his coverage grade start at an 87.1 in 2017 then rise to 90.6 the following year in 2018. Last year, in 2019, he regressed a little, but still finished with an impressive 90 overall coverage grade, including a pick-six. While still somewhat raw overall as a player, Gay would automatically give them their most reliable coverage linebacker on the team.