Detroit Jock City
Fansided

Detroit Lions select Frank Ragnow in first round of 2018 NFL Draft

By Zac Snyder

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Arkansas offensive lineman Frank Ragnow speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 01: Arkansas offensive lineman Frank Ragnow speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Detroit Lions have made their first pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, choosing Arkansas interior offensive lineman Frank Ragnow in the first round.

The wait is over as the Detroit Lions have made their first pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Who: Frank Ragnow
What: Center/guard
Where: Arkansas
When: Round 1, Pick 20 (20 overall)
Why: The Lions have a hole to fill on the offensive line after letting Travis Swanson leave in free agency. They had some flexibility in how to go about filling it with Graham Glasgow capable of moving over to center after starting at left guard last season, or they could add a center and leave Glasgow where he was. With Ragnow the Lions can try line combinations with Ragnow at center and Glasgow at guard as well as Ragnow at guard and Glasgow at center and go with whichever they feel gives them the strongest line.

In the end it is not a sexy pick, particularly with Boston College edge rusher Harold Landry still on the board, but it is totally in line with what Bob Quinn has done in his first two drafts as the Lions’ general manager.

Ragnow was something of a late-riser in the draft process, at least in terms of his perceived value in the media and with fans. There has been buzz about him going in the first round so this pick doesn’t come as a complete shock in terms of the overall value.

What is somewhat puzzling, perhaps even concerning, is that the Quinn has said he wants to add more picks and the Lions have consistently been noted as one of the teams interested in trading down in the first round. They ultimately were unable to do so. Obviously it takes a willing partner to execute a trade down but Quinn has made just one draft day trade in now his third draft.

Next: 30 Best Draft Picks in Detroit Lions History

Barring a trade, the Lions’ next pick is the 19th pick in the second round, 51st overall. The second and third rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft will be held on Friday night.

Home/Detroit Lions