Detroit Lions: Derrick Brown a flawless option in the first round
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions will need a replacement for Damon ‘Snacks’ Harrison, look no further than Auburn’s Derrick Brown.
It would be hard for me to defend the Detroit Lions if they were to select Derrick Brown with the third overall pick just because of the value that pick holds. I know what you are thinking; why would you lobby for the organization to select Brown and then state you don’t think they should pick him at three.
Let me explain.
Brown is a perfect mix of strength and agility to give offensive linemen all they can handle. Brown has proven to be very adaptable throughout his time with the Auburn Tigers; he can line up anywhere on the defensive front in any technique required. That alone will have Matt Patricia salivating over all the defensive looks he’d have an opportunity to call.
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Pro Football Focus has awarded Brown with a stellar 90.8 overall grade, which is the third-best in the entire draft class. Brown is an impressive 6’4, 326-pound interior lineman. He also received, get this, a 90.4 pass-rush grade. That’s something we shouldn’t take lightly as the Detroit Lions struggled mightily last season, creating any type of pass-rush. Brown made 13 tackles for a loss last season and 55 overall to go along with his 4 sacks.
With Damon Harrison being released and the Lions potentially not retaining either A’Shawn Robinson or Mike Daniels, the defensive tackle is a position that needs to be addressed.
Although it’s not a ‘sexy’ choice, selecting Brown third overall isn’t the worst thing, but when you consider what General Manager Bob Quinn could possibly receive for the third overall pick, it would be the wrong move. It’s a premium spot in the draft. The Detroit Lions will wait and see how the draft plays out. Joe Burrow is expected to go first overall to the Bengals after that things become interesting.
If the Washington Redskins decide to use their second overall pick rather than trading it, the pick will be Chase Young. If the pick is traded it will surely be a team trading up for Tua which leaves Young for the taking, perfect. Let’s just assume no one trades up and the Redskins select Young for this exercise.
That leaves the Detroit Lions in a very intriguing situation. If Detroit doesn’t intend on drafting Tua Tagovailoa, they will have an opportunity to add a plethora of draft capital and still select Derrick Brown.
Let’s say either Miami, the Los Angeles Chargers, or the Carolina Panthers who pick five, six, and seven respectably decide to trade up to three. The Lions will be able to move back along with adding one would assume plenty of trade capital to do so, along with still having the option to draft Brown.
There is no guarantee Brown would be there at seven, but in my opinion, an excellent chance. A chance the Lions should be willing to take because the alternative options are not bad; Jeffrey Okudah, Isaiah Simmons, and don’t sleep on South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw.
The ideal situation for the Detroit Lions would be making a deal with the Miami Dolphins, who have a plethora of draft picks, including three first-round choices.
light. Related Story. 4 affordable free agents to replace Damon Harrison
If Bob Quinn can land the 18th pick and an additional mid-round pick later in the draft to move from three to five, it will be a massive victory for the organization. For that to happen, Miami would have to fall in love with Tua, and after he recently received a clean bill of health, that is very possible. It’s a win-win situation for the Lions.