In Pro Football Focus’ re-grade of the 2021 draft, the Detroit Lions got an upgraded mark.
Usually, it takes about three years to get a credible evaluation of an NFL draft class for each team, good or bad. But that doesn’t stop us from declaring immediate winners and losers, and reviewing occassionally with bits of more information come.
By many accounts, the Detroit Lions have done well in the now two drafts led by general manager Brad Holmes. With building through the draft the path that’s clearly being taken, it’s obviously better to hit on most of your picks.
Pro Football Focus’ Mike Renner has re-graded each NFL team’s 2021 draft class, with one season of playing results to reflect with.
Detroit Lions get upgrade in 2021 draft re-grade.
If you need a full reminder, here’s how the Lions’ 2021 draft class looked.
Round 1 (7th overall): OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
Round 2 (41st overall): DT Levi Onwuzurike, Washington
Round 3 (72nd overall): DT Alim McNeill, NC State
Round 3 (101st overall): CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse
Round 4 (112th overall): WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC
Round 4 (113th overall): LB Derrick Barnes, Purdue
Round 7 (257th overall): RB Jermar Jefferson, Oregon St.
And here’s Renner’s evaluation.
"Initial Draft Grade: A-1-year Re-Grade: ANo team got more snaps out of its rookie class than the Detroit Lions. That being said, there are still a good deal of question marks in the mix. That doesn’t include Penei Sewell nor Amon-Ra St. Brown, though. Sewell is going to be a stud at right tackle and quite literally already was down the stretch in 2021. He was the ninth-highest-graded tackle in the league from Week 6 on. St. Brown is going to be a reliable slot for the foreseeable future after hauling in eight-plus catches in each of his final six games last season."
The Lions’ 2021 draft class does have some question marks, particularly with Onwuzurike looking to improve along the interior defensive line, Barnes looking to take the reigns of a starting role at linebacker and Melifonwu hoping to stay healthy and compete for snaps in a cornerback room that will have plenty of said competition.
The bump from an A- to an A one year in is driven by Sewell and St. Brown. They were both legitimately among the best players in the league at their positions over the final several weeks last season, and look like future building blocks for the Lions.
The future is still blissfully unrefined for most of the other five guys in Detroit’s 2021 draft class.