While not as flashy as others (Cough, cough, Jerry Jones), Bob Quinn did an excellent job filling roster needs early in the 2016 NFL draft. The focus was on building depth in the much needed offensive and defensive lines. Quinn has a clear vision of protecting Matt Stafford in the pocket, improving our run game, and developing a more balanced defense. Below I break down my  predicted picks versus what actually happened.  Enjoy!

 

Overall Draft Grade: B

 

First round: No. 16 overall selection

• Their Selection: Taylor Decker, OT (Ohio State)
• My Choice: Taylor Decker, OT (Ohio State)
• Highlight Video
• Grade: (A) Looks like Bob and I were thinking along the same lines on this one. Bring in the 6’7″ Ohio State staple and see if he can protect our franchise quarterback Matt Stafford. I would like to see him develop into an NFL left tackle, but it is looking like he will start at right tackle. Great pick filling a huge roster need.

 

Second round: No. 46 overall selection

• Their Selection: A’Shawn Robinson, DT (Alabama)
• My Choice: Vernon Butler, DT (Lousiana Tech) (Drafted 30th overall)
• Highlight Video
• Grade: (A+) With the losses of Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh last season we had a clear need in this area. I mentioned in my last post that opposing offenses were able to gain roughly 40 more yards per game on the ground. I believe A’Shawn Robinson is a first round caliber player with starting potential. Jim Caldwell is going to have fun rotating Ngata, Robinson, and our other new acquisition Stefan Charles around in the interior.

 

Third round: No. 95 overall selection

• Their Selection:  Graham Glasgow, C (Michigan)
• My Choice: Mackensie Alexander, CB (Clemson) (Drafted 54th overall)
• Highlight Video
• Grade: (B-)  I think this pick was a slight reach, but fills a huge need in the Lions offensive line. Travis Swanson will have stiff competition to hold onto his starting role with this run blocking mound of a man.

 

 

Fourth round: No. 111 overall selection

• Their Selection: Miles Killebrew, SS (Southern Utah)
• My Choice:  Jack Allen, C (Michigan State) (Undrafted)
• Highlight Video
• Grade: (A) We have added Tavon Wilson and Rafael Bush as candidates for the open strong safety position across from Glover Quin, but bringing in some youth was a clear interest of the organization. Killebrew is a hard hitting head hunter that reminds me of a TJ Ward type of player. I am very excited to see how he fits into the defense.

 

 

Fifth round: No. 151 overall selection

• Their Selection: Joe Dahl, OG (Washington St)
• My Choice: Jordan Jenkins, OLB (Georgia) (Drafted 83rd overall)
• Highlight Video
• Grade: (B-) Building depth in our o-line was a clear interest and Joe Dahl fits the bill for improving our lackluster rushing attack last year. I still think linebacker would have been a better move, but understand what the Lions are trying to do.

 

Fifth round: No. 169 overall selection

• Top Choices: Antoine Williams, LB (Georgia Southern)
• My Choice: Anthony Zettel, DT/DE (Penn State) (Drafted 202nd overall)
• Highlight Video
• Grade: (C+) I honestly don’t know much about Antoine Williams, but understand he was the leading tackler and a force to be reckoned with at Georgia Southern. With the ability to line up in a variety of positions on defense I am sure Caldwell will try to develop him into a great depth player for our linebacker core. Scooby Wright was my personal interest left on the board in the linebacker position.

 

Sixth round: No. 191 overall selection

• Their Selection: Jake Rudock, QB (Michigan)
• My Choice: Kevin Hogan, QB (Stanford) (Drafted 162nd overall)
• Highlight Video
• Grade: (C) Not my favorite pick, but the Lions definitely had good visibility of his talent, intangibles, and leadership. He was able to come from Iowa into a new Jim Harbough regime and bring the wolverines back to relevance. I am looking forward to him beating out Orlovsky for the backup spot.

 

Sixth round: No. 202 overall selection

• Their Selection: Anthony Zettel, DE (Penn State)
• My Choice: KJ Dillon, S (West Virginia) (Drafted 159th overall)
• Highlight Video
• Grade: (B+) This is my favorite late round steal of the draft for the lions. With Safety addressed early in the draft the need for depth at defensive end was clear. I projected us picking Zettel up earlier in the sixth, but am glad we were able to add this persistent lumberjack to our defensive squad.

 

Sixth round: No. 210 overall selection

• Top Choices: Jimmy Landes, LS (Baylor)
• My Choice: Darius Jackson, RB (Eastern Michigan) (Drafted 216th overall)
• Highlight Video
• Grade: (F)  With a history of picks like Theo Riddick and TJ Jones in the 6th round, there is no way you can persuade me to believe that drafting a long snapper makes an ounce of sense. Plenty of playmaking options left on the board with Darius Jackson, Geronimo Allison, or Aaron Burbridge…

 

Seventh round: No. 236 overall selection

• Their Selection: Dwayne Washington, RB (Washington)
• My Choice: Joe Haeg, OT (North Dakota State) (Drafted 155th overall)
• Highlight Video
• Grade: (C) Since we already addressed plug-n-play linemen earlier in the draft with Joe Dahl, an athlete with speed and an exciting upside makes a little sense here. I was hoping for a little more power in a running back, but Washington has some great breakaway speed.

 

While I think the Lions had a great early round draft for bolstering our core, I am not as thrilled about some of our late round selections. Shout out to Rain City Roar for compiling the highlight videos!

 

Reach out to me with your thoughts and arguments @evbtuesdays or comment directly below. If you like what you read, please subscribe to my email list on the homepage to follow my Tie Tuesday’s journey!

 

Stay casual until next Tuesday!

 

EVB