Draft 2021: Detroit Lions Draft Needs

Draft Day is finally here, and with the first couple of waves of Free Agency in the books, lets take a look at what needs the Lions still have entering the draft:

Needs: WR, LB, Edge/DL, S, OL, CB

WR: Its a forgone conclusion that the Lions will draft not only one, but maybe two or three WRs in this year’s draft. After signing speedy Tyrell Williams, former 1st Rd pick Breshad Perriman and Damion Ratley to go with holdovers Quintez Cephus and Geronio Allison, the Lions still have a long-term need to restock the position. Fortunately, the position is particularly deep with pretty much every size, shape, speed and quality of player you could want in all the rounds. The Lions should be tempted by Ja’marr Chase in Rd 1 if he is there, but choosing between Alabama receivers Waddle and Smith at 7 over an OL, QB of the future or trading back will be a tough choice.

LB: With the addition of Alex Anzalone and re-signing of Jaylen Reeve-Maybin, it lessoned the need a bit to go all in on a LB in the draft. The supposed crown jewel is Micah Parsons of Penn St, but the kid has so many red flags that the Lions shouldn’t take him at #7, yet he will likely not be there at #41 in Rd 2. So the Lions could grab one of the next lien of guys in Baron Browning, Jabril Cox or Jamin Davis. Bottom line, the Lions need more speed at LB and there are quite a few options to choose from.

Edge/DL: This draft is literally the worst DL draft on paper in the last 10 years. The edge’s outside of Kwity Paye have major warts until you get down into late 2nd early 3rd and the DTs only have 102 guys that are MAYBE second rounders in Barmore and Onwuzurike. Lots of depth-type and promise, but there really is not a sure thing in this draft. Lions will likely grab an Edge or DT at some point for depth, but don’t count on them being a major contributor right away.

S: yes, the lions lack Safety depth and likely one starter. Tracy Walker hopefully rebounds after being misused by the last staff and Will Harris starts to show the promise that mad him a 3rd round pick (unlikely). The Lions also have Bobby Price, Jalen Elliott, CJ Moore and Dean Marlow, but that’s not exactly a group that inspires confidence. I expect the lions to look at Safety in Rds 3 and 4, especially if one of the guys like Moehrig, Grant or Holland slips.

OL: The Lions did next to nothing with OL in Free Agency outside of picking up Frank Ragnow’s fifth-year option yesterday. That leaves a fairly strong unit intact, but with some questions on the right side. Vaitai seems destined to be cut had it not been for the ridiculous contract that the last regime saddled Holmes with, but I don’t expect him to be here in 2022 unless his play picks up significantly after playing injured most of last year. RT is Crosby and Matt Nelson’s to fight over, which is fine, but not ideal. That is why at #7 don’t be surprised to see the lions jump on Sewell or Slater to ensure that the OL is solid for the next 4-5 years.

CB: Last year the lions drafted Okudah at #3 and had both Trufant and Coleman under massive FA contracts to go along with Oruwariye and the thinking is that they were set for the next 2-3 years with developmental guys in the pipeline. Unfortunately, injuries killed that though and the CBs were and absolute disaster outside of Oruwariye and occasional flash from Okudah before he was shut down. Coleman and Trufant are gone, and Lions brought in Corn Elder and Quinton Dunbar as veterans, but there is still a need for depth and more development guys. I doubt the Lions go CB in Rd 1 barring a trade back, so that leaves Rds 2-5 to pick one up, and there is some decent depth to choose from. While at least four CBs should go in Rd 1 (Surtain, Horn, Newsome and Samuel) there is the injury marred Farley, the two Georgia kids in Stokes and Campbell and Syracuse’s super-sized kid Melifonu that should be available in Rds 2-3. One name to keep an eye on, Shaun Wade of Ohio State. He didn’t have a great year while playing injured, but the potential is there to be as good if not better than prior tOSU CBs.

Lastly, depending on curve balls, the Lions could end up with a QB of the future (Fields/Lance in Rd1 or development guy in Rd 5 like Kellen Mond, David Mills or Peyton Ramsey) or even a hybrid TE in Pitts in Rd 1 if the picks fall the right way.