Detroit Lions’ 2017 NFL Draft may not be what you expect

Fans expecting the Detroit Lions to draft defensive players early and often in the 2017 NFL Draft may find themselves confused and disappointed.

Conventional wisdom says that the Detroit Lions will sprinkle in a couple players on offense on their way to putting together a 2017 NFL Draft class heavy on defensive players. It certainly may turn out that way, but it also might not.

Matt Miller’s latest scouting notebook for Bleacher Report cites a team scout that leaves open the possibility of a class heavy on offensive players, starting with tight end David Njoku as the first round pick.

"David Njoku of Miami is in play here, according to a scout with the team. He also said this could be an “offensively heavy” draft class as they look to get better at running back, wide receiver and tight end."

This kind of report is likely to send a large portion of the Lions’ fanbase into a tizzy, but let’s take a step back and breakdown just how much this report really says.

For starters, the interest in Njoku hardly identifies him as their number one target, or even one of any particular priority. “Is in play” suggests little more than that he could be one of a handful of guys that gets considered when the Lions get on the clock.

As far as the possibility of an “offensively heavy”, it is important to note the quote is qualified with a “could be” statement. Prior to the start of the draft, anything could happen. The Lions could might maybe possibly draft Njoku and a bunch of other players on offense. Or not.

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The final days leading up to the NFL Draft is the height of silly season. Rumors and reports fly and all of it should be taken with a grain of salt. If there is any true info to gleam from Miller’s report, it’s that the Lions, at least in info finding its way to reporters, are keeping their options open. That’s what a good front office does as doing otherwise can only lead to trouble.