Detroit Lions’ 2016 NFL Draft Class Likely to be Light on Instant Impact

By Zac Snyder | May 16, 2016

Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Taylor Decker runs the 40 yard dash during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The Detroit Lions brought in a ten-player class in the 2016 NFL Draft but their full impact may not be felt for a while.

I like what the Detroit Lions did in the 2016 NFL Draft, I really do. However, there has been a disconnect between my general feeling about what they did an that leading to excitement about the 2016 season.

Going through the exercise of ranking all ten drafted players for their rookie year impacts earlier this month helped me put my finger on why that is. As I was going through and evaluating what this draft class could do for the Lions next season, I was left underwhelmed.

Sure, there could be some day one starters, solid contributors and good special teamers from day one, but that basically requires the optimistic projection for a number of players. More realistically, Taylor Decker and maybe Graham Glasgow start while some other guys get their feet wet while they prepare to have a bigger impact in year two or three.

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Again, that isn’t to say I don’t like or am disappointed by this draft class. That’s not it at all. It’s just hard to see this being an impact draft class from the get-go. It seems I’m not the only one.

Chase Goodbread projected the top 100 rookies for the 2016 season for a post-draft article on NFL.com, and it’s not exactly chock full of Lions. In fact, the first Lions rookie doesn’t appear in first-round range and even then it isn’t their first round pick. The first Lions mentioned is defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson at 36th.

"36. DT A’Shawn Robinson, Detroit Lions: Robinson will make Detroit’s run defense better from Day One, and while he’s not likely to pile up the sacks, he’ll shrink the pocket on pass plays enough to have third-down value."

The Lions’ first pick, and the one most likely to start the season with a starting job, checked in at number 40.

"40. OT Taylor Decker, Detroit Lions: The most likely landing spot for Decker is right tackle, where he should be able to nail down the job in relatively short order."

The only other Lions rookie to make the list isn’t the only other one drafted in the top 100 (Graham Glasgow). At number 77, Goodbread has Miles Killebrew.

"77. S Miles Killebrew, Detroit Lions: Although some competition will await Killebrew in camp for the strong safety job, look for his aggressive style to carry him into the starting role."

It’s nice to see Killebrew get some love at a spot higher than his draft position (111th overall pick), but the rest of the list gives an indication that Lions fans would be wise to show some patience with the rest of the draft class.

Fortunately, there is reason for optimism. Goodbread may have ranked Decker far lower than his draft position but the accompanying analysis is spot on for what should be expected of Decker rather than raising a red flag for someone drafted in the middle of round one.

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Although Graham Glasgow didn’t make Goodbread’s top 100, that could simply be due to the fact that Glasgow will have to beat out Travis Swanson first. It’s hard to have much of an impact sitting on the sideline as a reserve interior lineman. If Glasgow beats out Swanson to claim the starting center spot, there is little doubt he would make a post-season list for top 100 rookies.

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