Life just flat out sucks if you’re a Detroit Lions fan. You had the best running back in the game; then he retired young. Then a decade later you grabbed the best wide receiver in football; then he retired young. It’s not that nobody wants to play for the Lions, it’s just that nobody wants to play for a losing franchise. And there’s few worse franchises than the den in Detroit.
With the departure of Ndamukong Suh a couple years ago, Nick Fairley and Calvin Johnson, it’s just a matter of time before Matt Stafford says he wants out too. So we see the Leos trying to protect their passer before moving on to other areas of need in this year’s draft.
For a look at the Lions continuing hopes and dreams, read on. If you feel like checking out the mock drafts for the New York Giants, Chicago Bears, or Philadelphia Eagles though, click these links.
Round One: Pick #16 (16th overall) – OT Taylor Decker – Ohio State
NEEDS at OT: The Detroit Lions lost nine-year veteran guard Manny Ramirez to the Chicago Bears this past off-season. This creates a hole on the o-line of course. Considering the team finished dead last for rushing yards with 83.4 per game and 10th in sacks giving up 44 in 2015, they need some help up front – to put it kindly.
STRENGTHS: The 6’7 – 310 pound beast does not stop moving his legs. He’s a scary player that can keep his QB and RB’s safe on most nights. He knows his feet but he can get a little tied up in tight spaces. Hands down though, this guy can change an o-line’s landscape, if he’s dropped into the right situation. The Lions need a leader and we think it could be this kid.
NEEDS at DT: Ever since the team lost Ndamukong Suh to the Dolphins two-years ago, the Lions have had a huge opening down the middle. Suh is one of the most powerful forces in the game at defensive tackle and Detroit came short of filling his shoes last season. A big strong DT is a big need for the blue and silver.
STRENGTHS: He has a strong upper body and solid 6’4 frame. He can work the angles and find the gaps and was a force in his senior year. Scouts have also been heard saying that he was one of the biggest standouts from Senior Bowl practices. He was almost “unblockable” according to numerous sources.
Round Three: Pick #32 (95th overall) – OT Christian Westerman
NEEDS at OT: You can never have too much gas in the o-line tank. It’s a good problem to have and the Lions have never had it, so there’s no time like the present. As we mentioned above, the Lions need a heck of a lot of help with their run game. Westerman can provide that needed rushing help and then some.
STRENGTHS: Not only is Westerman a tank on the field, having started 25 of his 26 games over the past two seasons at ASU, he’s also a beast off it as well. He led all o-linemen at the NFL combine in bench presses, forcing up 34 reps before calling a quits. The Lions need an oil tanker up front and he could definitely be their answer. We’re not saying he’s an instant walk on, but he could be a very solid OT in a few years.
NEEDS at WR: The team’s plan is to make new arrival Marvin Jones the next big thing in Detroit. He has some pretty hefty shoes to fill though with Calvin Johnson’s sudden retirement and could use some help. Kolby Listenbee is a big fast wide out – nothing more, nothing less. He’s as advertised and could fit in nicely.
STRENGTHS: Most scouting reports have him listed as 6’1 – that’s the one thing we don’t know for sure. The one thing we do know is that Listenbee is a freak. He finished second at the NFL combine in the 40-yard dash for wide outs with a time of 4.39 seconds. He also put up the fourth-best broad jump with a leap of 10’9″. He’ll fit into the den perfectly.
Round Five: Pick #12 (151st overall) – RB Daniel Lasco – California
NEEDS at RB: Although they picked up Stevan Ridley, the loss of Joique Bell means the team needs a new bell cow out of the backfield (sorry for the overuse of “bell”). Ridley is a solid back but his career has been marred by inconsistencies. He can be the best guy on the field or easily forgotten. A little added insurance at RB could go a long way.
STRENGTHS: He was the team MVP in 2014 and had honorable mention for the all-Pac-12 team that same year. His final year with the Golden Bears was a little tarnished by injury. He only started nine games and he scouring report took a hit in the process. If the Lions can nab him in the fifth round, they’re laughing!
The Detroit Lions have 10 picks in the 2016 NFL Draft:
