The Detroit Lions have many options with pick No. 28 in the draft, and several different ways they can decide to go in order to complement their offense or defense.
Given the franchise has few glaring holes now, it doesn't seem the Lions will have much trouble navigating the draft effectively this year. Such is the case when a team essentially goes from worst to first with sound roster building.
Even though that's the case, there can still be a worst-case scenario for every franchise in the draft. Pro Football Focus' Bradley Locker looked at those situations and believes Detroit will be in bad shape if it doesn't draft a pass-rusher by pick No. 60 in the second round.
"The Lions head into the draft with few obvious team needs, especially after adding D.J. Reed and retaining Levi Onwuzurike and Tim Patrick," writes Locker. "Even then, adding secondary edge help next to the recuperating Aidan Hutchinson is a must after cutting Za’Darius Smith."
"Detroit could wait to select an edge rusher in a deep group, but that feels ill-advised. Teams will likely make a run on the position throughout the first two rounds of the draft, and the level of talent certainly dips a tad even by the third round. General manager Brad Holmes should seek another dynamic, foundational pass rusher by Pick No. 60."
Defensive end is a deep class this year, but it's true the Lions could get a better talent the earlier they decide to draft at the position. Even though that is the case, it feels like the Lions will ignore this logic when the draft begins.
Don't be surprised if Detroit Lions wait to select a defensive end during draft
Most understand the Lions need a defensive end this year, but with a deep class, Holmes may not feel the same urgency to make a splash early at the position like many fans or some in the media do.
Speaking with the media before the draft, Holmes hinted that the franchise will look for talent and proper fits first, rather than simply looking to fill hypothetical holes no matter what positions they play.
"What I won't do is what I've been saying I won't do. Looking at our depth charts like names (in) black and white and seeing a position and saying 'Man, I got to get that position.' A player has to play that position. That's why I've always said we want to get good players," said Holmes.
"You can draft a pass-rusher every round. It's easy. It's like if a coach told me 'We want a guy that's 6 foot 4, 250 pounds.' Getting a guy 6 foot 4, 250 pounds, that's easy. I don't know if he's a good football player, but he'll be 6 foot 4, 250 pounds. You can draft a defensive end. If the player playing defensive end is not what we feel is going to be the right guy to really contribute to our team, (we won't draft him). So we're not going to reach on players just to fill a position. That's what we won't do."
By re-signing Marcus Davenport and Levi Onwuzurike, the Lions kept two internal pieces that can press the pocket when healthy. Aidan Hutchinson is returning from injury, so Holmes is likely to believe he has options on the roster. Given that, there's a good chance Detroit drafts only for depth at defensive end, targeting other less deep positions earlier, like guard or wide receiver.
If not selecting a pass-rusher in the first two rounds of the draft represents a worst-case scenario for the Lions, don't be surprised to see a worst-case scenario play out. It feels like the Lions could be more likely to grab an edge after pick No. 60.