Detroit Lions: Building the organization’s 2021 NFL Draft board
By Tejas Bedi
Players who are unlikely to be on the board when the Detroit Lions pick at seven.
After the trades up, it is not likely that any of the top four quarterbacks drop to seven, but if one does, the Detroit Lions should pounce on the opportunity despite having Goff. Fields and Lance both should be considered long-term upgrades over Goff at the most important position on the team.
The rookies could sit and learn behind Goff for a year or so and take over whenever they are ready. If Goff plays well enough, the Lions could trade Goff, or even the rookie, if Goff becomes indispensable.
3. Justin Fields, QB, OSU
The fact that Justin Fields as the third quarterback off the board is a testament to the talent at the top of this QB class. Fields is a proven winner with two CFP appearances and a two-time Big 10 offensive player of the year. Fields also the gifts to be just as successful in the NFL.
He is accurate with a strong arm plus, and he would instantly be one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the league capable of destroying teams with his legs.
Fields would need some time to improve his speed through progressions after benefiting from Ohio State’s play design, but he would have that behind Goff in Detroit. Fields is the perfect video game quarterback who could develop into an elite NFL quarterback.
4. Trey Lance, QB, NDSU
Trey Lance is another dual-threat prospect who will need a little bit of seasoning. Lance throws a beautiful deep ball with a Howitzer of an arm. On top of that, he is a great runner who rushed for 1,100 yards in 2019. His 2019 was nearly flawless as he threw for 28 TDs, rushed for 14 more, and threw no interceptions in an undefeated season.
Lance is interesting because he has everything you want physically and dominated the FCS, but he was on a tremendous team with a great running game. It will likely require an adjustment period for the jump from FCS to the NFL, but Lance’s track record shows he should be able to learn the intricacies of NFL defenses, and once he does, he has all the tools to excel.