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Detroit Lions: Ranking the Draft Class By Rookie-Year Impact

By Zac Snyder

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Taylor Decker (Ohio State) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Detroit Lions as the number sixteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Taylor Decker (Ohio State) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Detroit Lions as the number sixteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (61) and tight end Khalid Hill (80) high five fans as they take the field before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (61) and tight end Khalid Hill (80) high five fans as they take the field before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Graham Glasgow

Ranking second for impact during his rookie season presupposes that Graham Glasgow will beat out Travis Swanson for the starting center job. If that doesn’t happen, Glasgow drops a few places on this list. But as one of the few draft picks that has the opportunity to earn a starting job right away, Glasgow has a higher ceiling for contributing as a rookie.

I expect there will legitimately be an open battle between Glasgow and Swanson during training camp but using a third-round pick on Glasgow says a lot about how the Lions view both Glasgow and Swanson and the center position overall.

Best-case scenario: Quickly beats out Travis Swanson for the starting center job in training camp and shows himself to be a clear upgrade early and throughout the season.

Worst-case scenario: Is quickly beaten out by Travis Swanson for the starting center job and remains the backup center throughout the season.

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