Detroit Lions draft grades: Experts give middling marks
By Matt Snyder
The Detroit Lions received rather unenthusiastic marks from most NFL draft experts following their 2017 selections.
The Detroit Lions made nine selections in the 2017 NFL Draft. Six of their picks were on defense addressing needs on the defensive line, linebackers, and in the secondary.
Here’s how experts from around the country grade their selections overall. I’ll pull out some snippets of each writers’ comments, but click through the links to read their views on the Lions draft in their entirety.
B grades
The high-water marks in this draft grade roundup come from NFL.com and SI.com. Both give the Lions a ‘B’ grade for their selections.
Here’s a snippet from Chris Burke’s writeup on SI.com:
"GM Bob Quinn continues to put in understated work molding this roster. Linebackers Jarrad Davis (No. 21 pick) and Jalen Reeves-Maybin (No. 124) could be the long-term future together for the Lions, although both come with injury concerns… Cornerback Teez Tabor (No. 53) tested like he’d never run in his life, but he’s much better when it counts"
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter was also high on what the Lions did to upgrade their linebacker corps.
"The Lions were desperate for an upgrade at linebacker, and they got a very good one in Davis. His athleticism and toughness are evident. If he can stay healthy and be an instinctive leader in the middle, Detroit is set at the position for a while."
C grades
Three sites put the Lions in the ‘C’ range with their grades. USA Today’s Chuck Davis thinks the Lions found at least two immediate starters but doesn’t give glowing praise for the group of newcomers. He gives the Lions draft a ‘C+’.
"first-round LB Jarrad Davis and second-round CB Teez Tabor – assuming his athletic limitations don’t sink him – should be in the mix to start right away. Third-round WR Kenny Golladay won’t make anyone forget Calvin Johnson"
The venerable Mel Kiper Jr. also gave the Lions a ‘C+’ for their draft work. He seems to like some of the talent they picked up but is concerned that they didn’t use the opportunity to address enough of their team needs.
"Detroit got some good players, but I’d contend they didn’t address their biggest needs in this draft. Ezekiel Ansah is the Lions’ only pass-rusher, and they didn’t get him any help. I think it’s fair to assume Bob Quinn — who has done an excellent job thus far — didn’t see Charles Harris or Takk McKinley as great options in the system, so Detroit ended up with Jarrad Davis. That’s not too bad, as he should jump into a starting role immediately and is a great kid."
Dan Kadar of SB Nation offers the Lions a ‘C’ grade for their draft work. Like Kiper, he seems to like the talent well enough but doesn’t quite understand why the Lions didn’t look for a pass rushing defensive end in the early rounds.
"In the first round, the Lions got a certain starter in linebacker Jarrad Davis. He’s a three-down linebacker who can come up and stuff the run and do a little bit of everything else well…The issue here is no pass rusher, whether it’s coming from inside or the edge, until the sixth round."
D grades
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports didn’t love what the Lions did in this weekend’s draft, giving them a straight ‘D’ grade for their work. Like everyone else, he’s complimentary on first rounder Jarrad Davis but he wasn’t impressed with the rest.
"But this is a team that had major pass-rush issues last season, and they waited until the sixth round to take a defensive lineman. That’s not wise in a division with Aaron Rodgers. Second-round corner Teez Tabor was a reach at that spot. I just didn’t think it was a good haul for the Lions."
Few writers were negative on any of the individual picks (though some question Teez Tabor’s measurables), so the knock here is whether or not they addressed enough need with their selections.
That’s not bad news for this Lions fan who got sick of Lions front offices reaching to fill perceived need and neglecting to build a roster with depth and balance. This is no longer the Matt Millen front office.
Next: Bob Quinn comments on day 3 picks
Bob Quinn seems trusts his team’s evaluations of the available talent and opted to chase player value and ability rather than seeing this as his only opportunity to plug a hole.