The NFL Draft - On The Clock, Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions

Pick: #16

Top Needs:  WR, OT, DT,  ILB, CB

Top Targets:  Taylor Decker, Josh Doctson, Corey Coleman, Reggie Ragland, Sheldon Rankins, Shaq Lawson

Off The Board:  

PickTeamPlayer, POSSchoolComments1Tennessee TitansLaremy Tunsil,   OTOle MissA shut down corner to protect franchise QB Marcus Mariota. 2Cleveland BrownsJared Goff, QBCaliforniaThe Browns finally find an answer to stop the QB merry go-round of the last 20 years.3San Diego ChargersJalen Ramsey, DBFlorida StateWhether he plays cornerback or safety, the Chargers get one of the best players in the draft.4Dallas CowboysJoey Bosa, DL Ohio StateThe Cowboys shore up their defensive line, and find QB, LB and DB help later in the draft. 5Jacksonville Jaguars Vernon Hargreaves, CBFloridaThe Jaguars get a shutdown corner in the first round, find solutions in the front seven in free agency and the rest of the draft.6Baltimore RavensMyles Jack, SS/LBUCLAThe Ravens leap to draft an elite defensive talent, and possibly draft a future star.7San Francisco 49ersCarson Wentz, QBNorth Dakota StateKap forces the teams hand and they take a potential future starting QB to truly start a new era.8Miami DolphinsMackensie Alexander, CB ClemsonMiami plugs its biggest hole,  but with a player who does have some questions.9Tampa Bay BuccaneersDeForest Buckner, DLOregonBuckner could easily go earlier, but he's too talented to fall any farther than this.10New York GiantsEzekiel Elliott,   RBOhio StateNew York gets an immediate boost with Zeke Elliott, getting new HC Ben McAdoo a huge weapon.11Chicago BearsRonnie Stanley, OTNotre DameChicago still needs help on defense but gets a plug-and-play starter at tackle to help stabilize the offense.12New Orleans SaintsA'Shawn Robinson, DTAlabamaNew Orleans shores up the defense by plugging up the middle and getting tougher and more physical in the process.13Philadelphia EaglesJack Conklin, OTMichigan StateDoug Pederson gets a stabilizing force on the OL to restart the running game and protect his almost comically fragile QB.14Oakland RaidersEli Apple, CBOhio StateThe Raiders begin to shore up the gaping hole of their defensive backfield, and do so with a player with a huge amount of promise from a bigtime program.15Los Angeles RamsLaquon Treadwell, WROle MissWith no immediate solution at QB, the Rams help their passing offense anyway by drafting a legit #1 WR. 16Detroit Lions???

It was yet another weird year for the Lions, who limped out of the gates and then, somehow, Jim Caldwell saved his job by being just good enough for folks not to want to upset the Jim Bob Cooter experiment.

When told he would not be fired, coach Caldwell reacted with such extreme excitement he later issued a formal apology for inappropriate behavior:

This is also the same face, I believe, that Caldwell had when learning that all-world receiver Calvin Johnson was hanging it up. That creates a huge hole that would be easy to say should be the Lions priority in the draft. Surely, they need to fill that hole, but Golden Tate could potentially be a #1 WR in this offense. While Treadwell is gone, receivers like Corey Coleman and Josh Doctson are potential first rounders.

The Lions are facing the same reality as the Rams and Eagles before them -- the elite talent is off the board, and now it's a question of need, best fit and position scarcity. OT is a need, and while Taylor Decker isn't quite the physical specimen you look for, he's tough and a leader and played just down the street at Ohio State. He could end up here, and I wouldn't blink.

On defense, there are a few DT that look appealing in different ways. Looking for more inside pressure, Sheldon Rankins seems like a ballplayer and somebody to help out regardless of whether or not Haloti Ngata is back. On the outside, Shaq Lawson could provide a pass rush from the defensive line that's always needed, and Lawson's college teammate Kevin Dodd is an option as well.

At linebacker, both Reggie Ragland and Darron Lee could help out considerably and this is about the part of the draft where they won't last for much longer.

If you're the Lions, what do you do?

THE PICK: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

Rankins is one of those speed-to-power guys who can really disrupt the game from the inside defensively. For a guy at 300 lbs., he can move pretty fast and though it's a cliche, you win the game on the lines. He's a little shorter than ideal for the position, which can dissuade some personnel folks depending on their taste. So potentially he's not a fit for the Lions (though I've seen others make this same selection). I think DL is the call here, and Rankins is the best inside guy on the board. While the team will try and find some help at WR in free agency (Marvin Jones, stay close to your phone) and later in the draft, right here the pick is Sheldon Rankins.

Next up, the Atlanta Falcons.