A look at mock drafts right now shows some certain directions for the Detroit Lions with the 28th overall pick next month. An edge rusher or an offensive lineman are the general consensus based on what seem like clear needs, and it feels very likely they'll go one of those directions.
But general manager Brad Holmes has been consistently clear about the Lions not being a "needs-based" drafting team, and that has usually worked well (see taking Jahmyr Gibbs 12th overall after signing David Montgomery in free agency). Things change so quickly that teams can get into trouble drafting based on need.
Depending on what happens above them, and assuming they stay put, the Lions will have a lot of options at No. 28. Need or "best player available" is a natural conversation, as was mentioned on the most recent episode of the "Detroit Lions Podcast" in light of a wide receiver possibly being that "best player available" at pick 28.
A decision on a contract extension for Jameson Williams lurks in the picture of the Lions having a possible need at wide receiver. Depth, even with Tim Patrick back on a one-year deal, is a thing.
Bold move to add offensive weapon could be in play for Lions at pick No. 28
On that new episode of the Detroit Lions Podcast, co-host Russell Brown brought up Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden, who's stock is falling after a down final collegiate season.
"I look at his skillset, and I think he's one of the 15 best players in this draft", Brown said. "I think he's probably the third-best receiver in this draft. But there's people out there who do what we do and they think he's the best receiver in the draft."
Brown talked about worth ethic questions that have surfaced around Burden, and basically dismissed them.
Co-host Scott Bischoff thought back to a year ago and noted if you said the Lions were adding Burden in this year's draft it would be "what the hell happened?" scenario, as in "what the hell happened" to the Lions last season to be drafting so early as to be able to draft Burden.
Bischoff noted how most of Burden's college catches came on short passes, and how he could be redundant with Amon-Ra St. Brown--such as St. Brown can be pigeonholed as a slot receiver. Bischoff offered an interesting comp for Burden (6-foot, 205 pounds): Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore.
Brown made the case that Burden can fit in and have touches manufactured for him, due to what else the Lions have offensively.
Check out the entire wide receiver prospect conversation Brown and Bischoff had below, led by the discussion about Burden.
Burden had a big season for Missouri in 2023 (86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns), and there's natural concern about his drop-off in production last season (61 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns). There was a not a change at quarterback, but Brady Cook (a Day 3 prospect in this year's draft) did not play as well.
In his mock draft back from March 19, since usurped by a more recent one, Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports had the Lions taking Burden at No. 28.
"Don’t let Burden’s 2024 stats fool you – he’s a premier receiver prospect with upside galore.”
In more mocks this week, Matt Bitoni of Football Guys and Rob Gregson of AtoZ Sports have the Lions taking Burden at pick 28.
Bitoni: "There's no real reason why Luther Burden is falling down the board other than various team needs. He's a really good player. Perhaps he goes 12 or 20, but that feels more like a best-case scenario for his draft stock. In Detroit, he can form a super trio with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams."
Gregson: "The Lions have one of the better top-to-bottom rosters in the league. But there is a pretty big hole in their WR corps and Luther Burden could fill that need."
Wide receiver is a sneaky, or really not so sneaky, need for the Lions. Taking one a No. 28 would be eye-opening, but it's within the realm of outcomes and Burden lands as a pretty interesting idea to level up the depth chart.
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