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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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Aug 30, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive linesman Taylor Decker (68) blocks Navy Midshipmen defensive end Paul Quessenberry (45) during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Navy Midshipmen 34-17.Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive linesman Taylor Decker (68) blocks Navy Midshipmen defensive end Paul Quessenberry (45) during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Navy Midshipmen 34-17.Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Taylor Decker

The obvious choice for the top impact next season, Taylor Decker is the Lions’ only 2016 draft choice who can be immediately penciled in as a starter. That will probably be at right tackle but the Lions’ public comments have left open the possibility of Decker playing on the left side right away.

Whether on the right or left, Decker is all but guaranteed to play major snaps on offense, with only injury likely to hold back him ability to have an impact as a rookie.

Best-case scenario: Proves at least Riley Reiff‘s equal to earn the starting left tackle job as a rookie.

Worst-case scenario: Starts at right tackle but plays at a level that makes some wonder if his starting spot is due to draft status and to gain experience more than because of performance.

Next: 30 Best Draft Picks in Detroit Lions History

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