The NFL Draft is only a few weeks away and its big topic to talk about when it comes to the Detroit Lions. After a year, full of accomplishments and a major disappointment, this is the time to add to the team and make a run for the playoffs next year. The Lions already added some big names in free agency which should make them a favorite to win the NFC North next year. These names include Ricky Wagner, T.J. Lang, DJ Hayden, Paul Worrilow and Akeem Spence. Those are big names that will make major impacts right away on the roster. This leaves a few positions that still need some help and the draft is where these holes need to be filled. We need more secondary help, a healthier core of linebackers, some help on the defensive line, and possibly another target for Matthew Stafford. You could argue that we need another running back as well since our two best options seem to be injury prone and turnover prone when playing but I think Riddick and Abdullah deserve one more year to show us what they have before we look for other options. All around the Lions are a very well rounded team besides linebacker right now. They’re a team to watch out for next year if they can add a few more impact names to their roster with their first-round pick in this draft. I am going to give you the possible choices that I believe the Lions could take. I am going to give you a fan’s pick, an owner’s pick, a coach’s pick, and the in a perfect world pick.
The Fan’s Pick: Jabrill Peppers U of M Safety
It doesn’t even really need to be said. Julius Peppers is who every fan in Michigan wants the Lions to draft. After the year, he had at Michigan this last year and the athleticism he has shown he is someone we want to see on the field in our state for a long time to come. He has speed, quickness, intelligence, awareness, and just pure grit in his play. His only knack on his resume is his size. Yes, he is not the average height and weight you see in the NFL at Safety or Corner but his speed and quickness can make up for that. He might not be able to play linebacker in the NFL like he did in college but he can play in a nickel position in certain situations to change up the defensive looks. Not only that he can play on the offensive side of the ball as well. He lined up at running back, wide receiver, and quarterback all last year for the Wolverines. He is the ultimate utility player. Oh, and he can return kicks and punts as good as anyone in the nation to. Need I say more from a fan’s perspective?
The Owner’s Pick: Taco Charlton U of M Defensive End/Linebacker
I see an owner’s pick as a safe pick. With all the bad picks that the Lions have made over the last couple decades in the Draft as an owner, you want the safest picks possible. Taco Charlton at pick 21 in the first round. He has the size and power that you want out of a professional defensive end and he isn’t a name that comes with huge expectations like a Myles Garrett or a Solomon Thomas. At 21 he is a safe bet. He will produce good numbers but won’t be expected to put up top defensive numbers right away. He is someone that can sit back and play and slowly become a top defensive end in the league. He has the skills and with the players we already have on our line and he can learn a lot and develop with a great core of guys here in Detroit.
The Coach’s Pick: Haason Reddick Linebacker Temple
In my opinion, a coach’s pick is a pick that fills an immediate hole and will also be someone that will produce at a top level right away. Reddick is a player that can do this while also not being a major let down if he just has an average season statistics-wise. Coming out of temple he has the knock that he played competition that wasn’t the same level as the SEC or Big Ten so his numbers in some people’s eyes are skewed. In my opinion, the numbers from the combine and his pro day do not lie. He put up top numbers in each drill for linebackers and you can’t deny that. It shows he has athleticism, strength, and high football IQ. If he is left on the board when it comes to the Lions pick expect Caldwell to be pulling for him to be picked.
The in a Perfect World Pick: Corey Davis Wide Receiver Western Michigan
I know I am going to get a lot of hate for this pick but I really think he is the next big receiver to come out of college. He has the height, hands, speed, and athleticism to be a top wide receiver in the NFL. The last receiver we have seen with this kind of ability and body stature in Detroit was Calvin Johnson aka the best receiver of all time. How can we pass up the opportunity to possibly get the next Calvin? I know saying he is the next Calvin is a major long shot/crazy thought but I have seen this guy play live and he is the real deal. He is someone that any team should feel elated to have on their team because he is going to make a major impact on their team. The Lions need a big play receiver to take pressure off Golden Tate and Marvin Lewis. It would also open some more opportunities for Eric Ebron as well. In my opinion, this is the one player that we need to really try to get in this draft. We boosted our defense in free agency and also boosted our offensive line to protect Stafford so now we need to get him weapons and this would be a Big-Time weapon.
