Which Detroit Lions draft choice will be the most productive?
By Robert Jones
The Detroit Lions have garnered quite a bit of praise for putting together a very solid draft class. Now which of those draft picks will be the most productive this fall?
We can never truly grade a draft class until three years later. That is the standard. Until then, there is always a margin of error.
Despite almost the entire NFL world stacking up praise for the work Brad Holmes did just two weeks ago, it could still become yet another monument to Detroit Lions’ failure. However, we all wish to believe that this franchise finally has gotten their general manager position right and in turn, he has delivered a solid draft to the desperate fans of the Honolulu Blue and Silver.
To all of us, this looked like a no-nonsense meat and potatoes draft. The first three picks fortified the offensive and defensive lines. Another pick added to the secondary, then a receiver, a linebacker, and ended with a running back.
Several needs were addressed even though we all need to understand that not every hole can be filled in one offseason. Not with a roster as desolate as the Detroit Lions’ was. The previous regime did their best to tear this thing down to the studs it seemed.
Yet there was some talent left behind. The offensive line is considered a strength. Today with the addition of Penei Sewell, it is thought to be one of the best young lines in the league. Beyond that, well, D’Andre Swift is a very promising back. Jeff Okudah is still very talented despite his poor rookie showing last year. Romeo Okwara is back after a 10 sack season and so is T.J. Hockenson after a very nice sophomore campaign.
From there, things start to get a little grey. However, the addition of this year’s draft does seem to lend a certain amount of hope to this roster.
Sure Matthew Stafford is gone, but Jared Goff is capable. The receivers are unproven, but they are fast. The secondary is young but could develop, and the defensive front has added some pieces that could be building blocks.
So while the rebuild is certainly not complete after one offseason, it’s doesn’t appear to be off to a bad start. The next question that begs to be asked about this solid draft class is; which player will be the most productive this fall?