The experts are pretty clear on who they like at the top of the draft. After a 9-7 season in 2017, the Detroit Lions are (finally) not at the top of the draft. They’ll be picking #20 overall. When you reach that point in the draft, the waters are a lot more murky. Here’s where the experts that detroitlions.com reporter Tim Twentyman polled decided, and some highlights from them on why the pick makes sense for the Lions. (ALL PHOTOS: NFL.com)
Marcus Davenport – DE – Texas-San Antonio (6 Votes)
Rob Rang – NFL Team Scout: “Defensive-minded head coach Matt Patricia is going to be expected to help boost a pass rush that ranked 20th in the NFL a season ago in sacks despite playing half their games against some awful NFC North offensive lines. The Lions could see a lot of the same moldable traits in Davenport that have helped Ziggy Ansah develop into one of the premier edge rushers in the NFL — when he is healthy and complemented with other talent.”
Taven Bryan – DT – Florida (5 Votes)
Nate Davis – USA Today: “He’s received unwarranted comparisons to J.J. Watt, which is nice. It’s probably more realistic to hope Bryan could replicate some of the havoc and versatility of ex-Patriot Richard Seymour, a player whose abilities would resonate with new Detroit coach Matt Patricia.”
Da’Ron Payne – DT – Alabama (4 Votes)
Peter Schrager – NFL.com: “In Matt Patricia’s first draft with Bob Quinn, I expect Detroit to go with another defensive player in the first round. The Lions’ offensive line was bruised and battered for most of last season, but when healthy, it can hold its own. So, Detroit goes defense here. Payne is an accomplished player who competed at the highest level in college, and he still has room to grow.”
Harold Landry – DE – Boston College (3 Votes)
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz – USA Today: “It would only be fitting for the Matt Patricia era in Detroit to kick off with a pick from the New England area. What Landry lacks in a strength he makes up for with his explosive burst and top-notch elasticity.”
2 Votes Each
Will Hernandez – OG – Texas-El Paso
Daniel Jeremiah – NFL.com: “I love the way Hernandez plays the game. His physical, nasty style will fit well with the new coaching staff in Detroit.”
Derrius Guice – RB – LSU
R.J. White – CBSSports.com: “Running back isn’t the Lions’ biggest need after the signing of LeGarrette Blount, but it’s still enough of an issue that it’s hard to pass on the super-talented Guice at No. 20. If the Lions pass on him, it feels like he could fall out of the first round, so they may want to explore a trade back 8-10 picks before grabbing him, if he ends up being their top target remaining at No. 20”
1 Vote Each
Joshua Jackson – CB – Iowa
Ryan Wilson – CBSSports.com: “Darius Slay is one of the NFL’s best young corners and Jackson has the physical attributes to become a force opposite him in a division that features Aaron Rodgers and now Kirk Cousins.”
Sony Michel – RB – Georgia
Nick Klopsis – Newsday: “The Lions had the NFL’s worst rushing offense in 2017 with just 76.3 yards per game. They signed LeGarrette Blount but could use another big-play back to complement the hard-running Blount and pass-catching Theo Riddick. Sony Michel is a versatile back with the power, speed and pass-catching ability.”
Isaiah Wynn – OG – Georgia
Eric Galko – Sporting News: “The Lions’ running game last year was atrocious. While they could add a top rusher like Derrius Guice, they’d be wise to focus on their offensive line first and foremost. They can then look to the middle rounds for a runner who can take advantage of the improved blocking.”
Tremaine Edmunds – LB – Virginia Tech
Pro Football Focus – “Matt Patricia has gone on the record saying he wants his new defense to be multiple and with significant needs at both edge rusher and coverage linebacker, possibly no player in this draft better fits the “versatility” moniker than Edmunds. He posted six sacks in each of his last two seasons at Virginia Tech despite a primarily off-the-ball role and last year he posted a coverage grade of 81.0 while also owning the ninth-best run-stop percentage (12.5) among all FBS linebackers. At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds and still just 19 years old, the sky is the limit for Edmunds.”
The First Round of the NFL Draft happens April 26th at 8pm. You can catch it LIVE on Jackson ESPN 101.9fm.