2021 Detroit Lions Draft Preview Defensive Ends

 

Lions Current Depth Chart

How this position will be deployed is not yet known. The Okwara brothers seem to best standing up. Flowers is a good player but always hurt. Time for Bryant to show if he can play. 

Draftable Players

Good depth in this draft. 4 or 5 should go between #10-#30 in the draft. Good value reigns on Day # 2. If Lions are looking for pure speed rushers Ojulari, Owen and Perkins fit that role. Paye is a complete player that can rush from multiple positions. Phillips is a freak with an injury history. Basham should be a solid pro for years. Cam Sample is a guy that has upside. 

Lions analysis:

Hard to predict with the change in scheme. Do they look for speed rushers on more of the hand in the dirt ends? This draft has both. Interesting to see how this develops.

Guys I like:

Day # 2

Carlos Basham Wake Forest

Ronnie Perkins Oklahoma

Joe Tryon Washington

Cam Sample

Day # 3

Josh Kaindoh FSU

Payton Turner Houston

Jordan Scott UAB

2021 Detroit Lions Draft Preview Defensive Tackle

 

Lions Depth Chart

The new scheme likely will only see two of the guys on the field at once. In the Nickel, only one will play. Brockers was brought in and given a three year contract. Williams took a pay cut to stay. Hand is always hurt. Atkins returns after opting put of 2020. 

Draftable Tackles

Barmore broke out in the CFB playoffs. Destroying the best offensive lines in the game. He should go between 20-30. Omwuzurike is opt out who has long arms and is a plus in the pass rush. The run stuffers include Nixon, Brown, Shelvin and Slaton. They carry early day # 3 grades. Togiai is good prospect at the 3 technique. 

Lions analysis:

With the new scheme that will borrow from the Rams front. Lions have only two players on long term contracts. Depth and rotational players are available on day # 3.

Guys I like:

Osa Odighizuwa UCLA

Tommy Togiai Ohio State

Bobby Brown Texas A&M

Jon Marshall Arkansas

2021 Detroit Lions Draft Preview O-Line

 

Lions current Depth Chart

Solid foundational pieces in Decker, Jackson and Ragnow. Crosby and Nelson are good swing tackles. Vatai has the worst contract in the NFL, Stenberg is an unknown. 

2021 Draftable players 

Excellent draft for tackles. Sewell is top 5 player. Slater can play across the line. Cosmi, Darrishaw, Jenkins, Radunz are all immediate starters. Forsythe is my favorite day 2 prospect. 

Interior line is headlined by Humphrey and Vera-Tucker. Immediate high level starters. Banks is tough guy in the running game. Meinerz was a Senior Bowl standout out of Div 3. 

Lions analysis:

Lions need depth for their line. Ragnow, Jackson, Decker are all entrenched starters. Vatai will likely have to start at guard. A tackle would be welcome addition or a mid round interior player with upside.

Guys I Like

Day # 2

Tackle

Dillion Radunz SD State

Spencer Brown NIU

Stone Forsthye Florida

Day # 3

Dan Moore Texas A&M

D'Ante Smith ECU 

Interior Line

Aaron Banks OG Notre Dame

Drew Dalman OC Stanford

Robert Hainsey OG Notre Dame

2021 Detroit Lions Draft Preview TE

 

Lions current Depth Chart

Hockenson should be a upper level starter. Hill is the blocker. Bryant has receiving ability, Mack is a project.

2021 Draftable Tight Ends

Outside of Pitts and Freiermuth there is not a starter in the draft. A lot of # 3 type players. 

Lions analysis:

Lions should not draft a TE. Pitts is a receiver and would be a great pick at # 7. He is match up nightmare and a true blue chip player. 

2021 Detroit Lions Draft Preview WR

 

Lions current Depth Chart

Only Cephus returns from 2020. One year contracts for Perriman, Williams and Raymond. A major need for the Lions.

2021 Draftable Wide Receivers

Chase is the prize of the class. Smith and Waddle have big play ability but have question marks. Smith with his size and Waddle with injury. My favorite receiver is Toney. Slick with the ball in hands and can compete outside. Slot receivers include Elijah and Rondale Moore. Elijah is a pure slot. Rondale has a serious injury background. Dyami Brown can play any position and get deep. 

Lions analysis:

Lions need a serious haul from this draft. I would them to draft an outside guy and a slot guy. Toney in the second round would be perfect. Slot guys are all over this draft. Getting an outside guy would be priority earlier. 

Guys I like:

Day 2

Outside

Kadrius Toney Florida

Terence Marshall LSU

Dyami Brown UNC

Nico Collins Michigan

Slot

Elijah Moore Ole Miss

D'Wayne Eskridge WMU

Day 3

Outside

Seth Williams Auburn

Josh Palmer Tennessee

Dax Milne BYU

Slot

Cade Johnson SD State

Shi Smith South Carolina

Blake Proehl ECU

2021 Detroit Lions Draft Preview RB

 

Lions current Depth chart

Swift as the lead back with Williams and Johnson playing roles is a solid backfield. Another young playmaker who can return kicks would be a nice addition. A training camp battle for the FB spot is on tap.

2021 Draftable prospects

Analysis:

Good backs at the top of the draft with depth in the late rounds. Williams is my favorite back. He runs hard and has speed. Harris has all the game. Big and good hands. Etienne is a D'Andre Swift clone. Quick back who can find seams with great acceleration. Backs like Stevenson, Sermon offer inside running and short yard ability later in the draft. Gainwell is the diamond in the rough here. Offers speed and open field ability. Mitchell is another player with upside. Fast without a lot of mileage. 

Lions outlook:

I would not draft a back until late or sign one as an UDFA. There is depth in the class and the Lions do not have an immediate need at the position.

Guys I like:

Mid rounds;

Ken Gainwell Memphis

Elijah Mitchell Louisiana

Late rounds or UDFA

Chris Evans Michigan

Stevie Scott Indiana

Khalil Herbert Va Tech

2021 Detroit Lions Draft Preview QB

 

Lions Current Roster

Draftable Prospects

Analysis:

I rate Fields slightly above Wilson and Lance. Fields has the all of the tools. He played well in pressure situations at Ohio State. Wilson is a perfect prospect. He throws and moves very well. However, He played against lower competition. I think it might take him some time to acclimate to the speed of the NFL. Lance like Fields and Wilson has all of the tools. He needs time to learn the game and blend into a starting role. 

Second prospects include Trask and Mills. Mills has the better upside. Good athlete with a strong arm. He needs time to develop and has an injury history. Trask can throw the ball. Check the Alabama tape. Great ball placement and touch. I think he could be a quality starter down the road.

Lions outlook:

With the trade for Jared Goff, the Lions have a 27 year old under contract for 4 years. If he can prove himself a top level starter the Lions are set. I think the Lions should give the year to Goff and if needed draft a QB next year.