Detroit Lions 2017 NFL Draft Watchlist: Utah vs. Colorado
By Erik Schlitt
The Free Safety
Don’t be fooled by Marcus Williams (Junior, #20, 6’0″, 195) size, he’s a top-50 prospect. With a nose for the ball and excellent tackling technique, Williams is a playmaker at the free safety position. Add in his above-average athleticism and speed, and it’s easy to see how he’ll succeed at the next level.
"Plenty of evaluators abide by the old scouting rule that you shouldn’t draft sub-200 pound safeties high in the draft, but Williams has the cover skills and natural instincts to be an exception. – Rob Rang (link)"
This video encapsulates Williams instincts and athleticism:
The Nose Tackle
Lowell Lotulelei (Junior, #93, 6’2″, 310) often gets compared to his older brother Star (Carolina Panthers) and while they are both powerful run stuffers, Star is the better pass rusher, but Lowell has elite strength. Watch the way he stacks and leverages the guard, then easily runs through the running back on his way to a quarterback sack:
Lotulelei won’t appeal to all teams but he fits a very specific role as a 0, or 1-technique depending on a team’s defensive scheme. If he can get one-on-one with a center, he will have an advantage. Because he will turn 22 just before the 2017 draft and with his stock on the rise, it would make sense for the junior to declare early.
Lions Interest
As solid of prospects as both Williams and Lotulelei are, they are a bit repetitive on the Lions defense. Williams best fits in the role occupied by Glover Quin and Lotulelei is similar to last year’s second round pick A’Shawn Robinson. When you weigh the draft capital it would take to acquire them, these may be players not be on Detroit’s radar.