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Detroit Lions: Rapid Reactions to Selecting Tracy Walker in 2018 NFL Draft

By Matt Bosko

ALLEN PARK, MI - FEBRUARY 07: Matt Patricia speaks at a press conference after being hired as the head coach of the Detroit Lions at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ALLEN PARK, MI - FEBRUARY 07: Matt Patricia speaks at a press conference after being hired as the head coach of the Detroit Lions at the Detroit Lions Practice Facility on February 7, 2018 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions surprised many by selecting Tracy Walker with their third round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Who?

That seemed to be the initial reaction by many fans and beat writers to the Detroit Lions‘ third round selection, Tracy Walker.

A safety out of Lousiana-Lafayette, Walker started 12 games in his senior season, where he racked up 97 tackles and two interceptions.

Safety was a need for the Lions, who expect to move Quandre Diggs back to nickel corner and Glover Quin turning 32 years old. However, for the third consecutive pick, the team ignored a much more glaring weakness on their roster: the defensive line.

The initial reaction to the Lions pick? Not very good.

Michael Rothstein of ESPN and other analysts were left scrambling for information on Walker:

After doing so, Rothstein acknowledged the fit with the Lions, though he still felt that the team would have been better suited addressing the defensive line with the pick:

"The Lions again avoided going after one of their top overall needs — defensive line — in the third round by taking Tracy Walker, a safety from the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. Considering the defensive tackle and end options still on the board at the time (Stanford’s Harrison Phillips, Virginia Tech’s Tim Settle, Michigan’s Maurice Hurst), this is a surprising pick."

CBS Sports liked the selection, attributing Walker’s versatility to the type of player that head coach Matt Patricia covets in his defensive backfield:

"Matt Patricia likes back-end players with versatility and this kid has it. That’s a good pick."

Additionally, the prospect outlook on CBS Sports suggests that the best is yet to come from Walker:

"Multi-dimensional safety with plus range. Possesses the suddenness, speed, and strength to be a consistent tackler against the run. Flashes cornerback-like mirroring skills. High motor to chase from the backside. Requisite ball skills. Underrated prospect primed to outplay his draft position."

With the Lions trading away their fourth round pick to move up and draft Kerryon Johnson, perhaps Bob Quinn reached for a player he treasured.

Quinn and Patricia appear to have a plan in place, and would rather reach for a player they truly desire than to see him fall to another team.

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