Detroit Lions: 5 possible picks at seventh overall in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Pat Pitts
Micah Parsons
A bit different from what a majority of reports have been, but a player the Detroit Lions need. Especially for a defense that has desperately struggled over the past few seasons.
Jeff Okudah did not play to his draft selection in 2020. Micah Parsons is different.
He will have a full off-season with an actual pre-season to prepare for his rookie campaign. He can evolve into the defensive leader that Campbell needs. He can train him to bite off a few knee caps.
Rashawn Slater
As I mentioned, the Lions have a lot of voids that need to be filled. An offensive lineman is at the top of the list. Penei Sewell will mostly likely been drafted by the Bengals or Falcons, which leaves the next best player left on the board.
Detroit has been improving their offensive line throughout the past few seasons. According to PFF, Frank Ragnow was selected to his first Pro Bowl this season and received the third-highest grade of a center. Taylor Decker made his first appearance atop the PFF grade scale, finishing inside the top 12 tackles in the league.
Rashawn Slater can provide needed protection for Goff to sling the ball downfield, but it opens up the run game for D’Andre Swift. Anthony Lynn came in to implement his system; they’re going to be running the football.
Elite offensive linemen are a needle in the haystack around the NFL. Teams struggle to find players who can keep the QB on their feet. Slater will keep the offense standing.