Detroit Lions pull surprise pick with Tracy Walker in third round

The Detroit Lions have made their third pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, choosing Louisiana Lafayette defensive back Tracy Walker in the third round.

The Detroit Lions have made their third pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Who: Tracy Walker
What: Defensive back
Where: Louisiana Lafayette
When: Round 3, Pick 18 (82 overall)
Why: The Lions’ defensive backfield is already the strength of the unit so this pick can’t be viewed as being based mostly on need. Bob Quinn isn’t a “reach for a need” guy anyway so this pick has to be filed as best player available.

The interesting thing about that, though, is that you’d be hard-pressed to find any outside observers who would have labeled Walker the best player available at the time of the pick. Obviously there is something about Walker that the Lions really liked.

Announced as a defensive back, Walker projects best as a free safety but could play just about anywhere in the secondary.

Jeff Risdon had Walker as one of his picks in a Lions seven-round mock draft, but in the fifth round. He had the following to say with the pick in his mock:

"A player I know the Lions met with—and liked—during Shrine Game week, where he showed he could diagnose and attack quickly."

Adding to the familiarity with Walker is that he’s from the same hometown and high school as Darius Slay.

Regardless of the overall value, there will be a lot of consternation that the Lions have still not done anything to bolster their defensive line. With no more scheduled picks until the fifth round, chances to do so in a meaningful way are running low.

Next: Full Lions draft coverage on Detroit Jock City

Barring a trade, the Lions’ next pick is the 16th pick in the fifth round, 153rd overall. The 2018 NFL Draft concludes with rounds four through seven on Saturday afternoon.