With the recent performance of the Detroit Lions 2020 NFL Draft, we are looking back at every draft pick made since 2016.
After the conclusion of the 2020 NFL Draft, Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn’s performance over the weekend has pleased many. A lot of fans seem to believe it’s the best out of his five classes.
Only time can tell how this draft class pans out. For now, I thought it would be fun to look back and grade some of the Lions’ former draft picks in the Quinn era. These are only be quick-snap grades because if I went into full detail, this would be a 20-page article.
Keep in mind, these grades are determined by four factors. What the player has done, compared to the round they were selected in, and what Quinn had in mind for these player when taken. The player’s future in Detroit will impact these grades as well.
Also, I’m only grading his picks in rounds one through five, as the sixth and seventh rounds have such a low success rate. Obviously, this latest draft class is going to be excluded, since they haven’t played yet. Let’s get started.
2016
Round 1 Pick 16: Left Tackle Taylor Decker
This pick would be an A+, but injuries have really derailed his development. Although he has been a stud when healthy. Nevertheless, Bob Quinn got his franchise left tackle in Taylor Decker, which is what you are looking for at pick #16.
Grade: A-
Round 2 Pick 46: Defensive Tackle A’Shawn Robinson
A’Shawn Robinson is a solid starter in this league, but Detroit didn’t value him enough to bring him back. The defensive tackle broke out in 2018, only to have a very disappointing 2019 season. Plenty of teams wanted his services and the Los Angeles Rams ended up paying him big-time money.
Grade: C+
Round 3 Pick 95: Offensive Guard Graham Glasgow
Great player, it shows on film and with his statistics. It’s a mystery as to why the Lions decided to let Graham Glasgow walk in free agency. This would be an A pick if he were brought back by the team.
Grade: B+
Round 4 Pick 111: Safety/Linebacker Miles Killebrew
Miles Killebrew was presumably drafted here to be a developmental player and potentially a starter in the future. It didn’t really work out that way. However, he has become a plus player on special teams, which is suitable for a fourth-round pick. He has no value as a backup, which is the main reason for the low grade.
Grade: C-
Round 5 Pick 151: Offensive Guard Joe Dahl
Here is Bob Quinn’s first A grade, Joe Dahl was known as project player. Last season, he became a dependable starter under head coach Matt Patricia. He’s a plus pass protector at left guard and it’s hard to ask for more out of a fifth-round pick.
Grade: A
Round 5 Pick 169: Linebacker Antwione Williams
Not much to say here, Antwione Williams did not make the team, which is a rare occurrence for their fifth-round picks in the past four years.
Grade: F