With the 17th overall pick in this year's NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select...a tackle. Or maybe a pass rusher. Or, perhaps there's a trade down, which is basically a move embedded in Brad Holmes' DNA.
There are a few obvious possibilities for the Lions at this spot in the draft, but of course, that move could all depend on how the rest of the picks shake out above them. There are other teams in need of pass rushing help, namely, the Miami Dolphins after losing both Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb this offseason.
Their effort to tank didn't just stop there, though. They also just traded Jaylen Waddle, their best wide receiver to the Denver Broncos. This likely means that the AFC East squad, after bringingin Malik Willis from the Green Bay Packers, are looking to snag a top receiver in this year's draft class. That could go a long way for Detroit,
Lions could directly benefit from Dolphins tanking in NFL Draft
There aren't that many blue-chip wide receiver prospects in this year's draft, so with their trading of Waddle, it feels likely that Miami will look to add as best a weapon to Willis' arsenal as possible. That could preclude them from then, trying to replace Chubb or Phillips with that top pick.
Detroit doesn't seem destined to be taking an edge at 17, but this could change up their philsophy a bit if a top-5 edge prospect lands in their lap at that spot. Brad Holmes has been pretty much all about taking the best player available in drafts, and not so much best fit available.
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The Lions' two biggest needs remain at left tackle and at the edge, so landing the best available player on their board between either group could dictate their 17th overall selection. Some names that could fall to the Lions there include Keldric Faulk, T.J. Parker, Cashius Howell, or even a sleeper like Gabe Jacas.
With the Lions' signing of former Carolina Panthers edge D.J. Wonnum, it feels clear that the Lions are still going for a pass rusher with one of their top picks in this year's draft. He's not a guaranteed starter so much as he's a rotational depth piece for Kelvin Sheppard to use. Him, in addition to a rookie with a higher floor, could actually do damage.