Ranking Detroit Lions biggest draft gems of the last decade

10. S Quandre Diggs: Sixth Round (Pick No. 206), 2015

Diggs went from a sixth-round pick to being a versatile defensive back for the Lions, culminating in a nice 2018 season (78 tackles, three interceptions, eight pass breakups. He ran afoul of Matt Patricia (how dare he?), and was traded to the Seattle Seahawks during the 2019 season. He only made three straight Pro Bowls in Seattle (2020-2022), which might have been nice to see him do even once in a Lions' uniform.

Diggs as a Lions' draft gem has some "what might have been had he stayed?" vibe. But a sixth-rounder who has played 10 NFL seasons (and likely counting) at a fairly high level is a rarity, so he makes this list.

9. DB Brian Branch: Second Round (Pick No. 45), 2023

Branch didn't wow in athletic testing at the 2023 NFL Combine, so he fell to the second round. But those who paid attention knew he was a good football player, and was not slow on tape as he played all over the field in Nick Saban's defense at Alabama.

Branch settled into the slot corner role for the Lions as a rookie, with excellent all-around numbers as cover man and a run defender. He may see more snaps at safety this year, and he acknowledged some things he's working on heading into his second season. He was so good that Bucky Brooks of NFL.com has mentioned him in connection with a list of prospects in this year's draft whose game tape trumps subpar testing numbers.

When Branch fell like he did, the Lions moved up a few picks in a deal with the rival Packers to get him. He looks like a core piece of the defense for years to come.