Detroit Lions: Brad Holmes needs to continue prioritizing the offense

The perfect scenario for the Detroit Lions would be trading down in the first round of the NFL Draft adding much-needed draft capital but continue to focus on the offensive side of the football, particularly at the wide receiver position.

I understand how awful the Detroit Lions defense performed under former head coach Matt Patricia, but as it stands now, the organization needs help at all levels of their defense. Repairing that side of the football will take more than a top-fifteen choice in the draft. I’d prefer to add an elite talent on offense and focus on adding multiple defensive pieces throughout the draft.

Many experts seem to be wavering between quarterback Trey Lance or linebacker Micah Parsons if Detroit holds onto the seventh overall pick.

This is where things get tricky for me, particularly surrounding Lance. If the Detroit Lions have an opportunity to choose Lance but opt to trade down or select someone like Parsons or even a receiver, we will always be following Lance’s career, and he could be the ‘what if’ player.

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If Lance is a star, it will be a tough pill to swallow for the next twenty years; if he’s mediocre and Detroit selects an All-Pro player at a different position, general manager Brad Holmes will look like a genius.

I don’t dislike Lance, but I think he’s a tier-two quarterback prospect in the upcoming draft. Lance isn’t Trevor Lawrence, and I feel he’s a ways behind Zach Wilson. I’d put Lance slightly ahead of Justin Fields, but they’d be on the same level.

That being said, Lance may not even be available when the Detroit Lions are on the board at seven if NFL organizations have him pegged as the third-best quarterback entering the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Detroit Lions should select a player on offense in the first round of the NFL Draft.

After adding 26-year old Jared Goff, the Lions need to surround him with some weapons on offense. Are we certain that Lance will be better than Goff? I’m all for drafting Lawrence or Wilson, but I expect they will be selected first and second overall.

If the Lions fail to find a trade partner for the seventh overall pick, offensive tackle Penei Sewell would be my first (non-quarterback) choice. I don’t expect Sewell will be available at seven, but stranger things have happened. It would be nice to bolster the offensive line by pairing Sewell with Taylor Decker for several years.

My next choice would be one of the top three receivers. I’d be content with either Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and DeVonta Smith. Many will have Smith above Waddle, but I feel that Waddle has a higher ceiling at the professional level, but if both Chase and Waddle are unavailable, the Detroit Lions should be thrilled with adding Smith.

We’re waiting to see what the Detroit Lions choose to do with star receiver Kenny Golladay, leaving just Quintez Cephus as the only other notable pass-catcher rostered heading into free agency and the draft. The Lions should add a couple of young playmakers on the outside to give Goff a chance to succeed.

Next. NFL Draft: The impact of a Deshaun Watson trade. dark

I could see Waddle or Smith potentially being available through the first twelve picks, but both players may be selected in the top-ten.

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