Baumgardner put out a 3-round mock on The Athletic today that has us passing on McKinstry (and Chop) for Jackson Powers-Johnson. Seems like Powers-Johnson has some fans in here, but I just don't get it at all. Nothing against him. I'm sure he's a good player. But passing on a CB for a iOL given the current projected starters at both spots seems insane to me and I don't understand what I'm missing.
It plays to the whole idea of keeping a strength a strength, but his best position is taking Ragnow's spot, and Ragnow is still only going to be 28 this season. I'd take the CB or Chop in that scenario.
I don't think Ragnow is going to be around a whole lot longer. I read he contemplated retirement this offseason.
Ragnow might be 28, but his body is that of a 42 year old career stuntman. He's not long for this league, held together by duct tape and grit.
Our current #2 corner is Amik Robertson, who is 5'9", and I've been kind of surprised at how much more worried about that I am compared to many other people I read on here or elsewhere. If it's up to me, we're drafting CB at 29 and 61. And I'm definitely not taking a depth C/G over that position unless every good one is gone.
I think counting on rookie DBs is a massive gamble. I agree that we need help but I think a DB at 29 is someone that might not help us until next year.
It's not that I want to bank on rookies to step in and be good as much as we have to add more bodies with legitimate talent to the mix in the hopes that one or two of them are good. And from a long term standpoint, you need to get some people with legitimate talent into the system to acclimate them so you're not in this situation every year. I just don't see the point in taking an interior OL only type guy in round 1 with the roster we have. In round 2 or 3 if the right one is there? Sure. But round 1 feels like a waste.
I don’t disagree but if Goff signs an extension we better make sure the OL is in the top third of the league every season he’s under contract. That’s my reason for continuing to invest because any hiccup and we are in trouble. And the reality is there will be injuries on the OL. If we have a a guy like JPJ can play OG and OC, that’s a win. Last year our interior OL backups (Sorsdal, Vaitai and Awosika) combined for almost 700 snaps. Anyone we draft on the OL has an opportunity to play a lot as a rookie just based on attrition.
As much as I want a corner in round 1 (or somewhere in the first three picks), seems like we'd run to the podium for any of these first three choices.
Kiper has us taking Darius Robinson in the first, which others have done as well. He might be my least favorite option I've seen people throw at us so far. I get the premise of a pass rusher need but I don't really see him being someone who fills it. I'd rather take a OL or WR than him.
Brugler's full mock draft for us. I guess I just need to accept that going forward people are going to always pick white guys who try hard in mock drafts for us because of kneecaps and culture. Detroit Lions 2 (44). Zach Frazier, G/C, West Virginia 2 (61). Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State 3 (73). Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington 3 (77). Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest 5 (164). Braiden McGregor, Edge, Michigan 6 (201). Will Reichard, K, Alabama 6 (205). Sione Vaki, S, Utah 7 (249). Johnny Dixon, CB, Penn State
Campbell, Holmes and Glenn probably love Sainristil and it wouldn’t shock me at all if he’s the guy at 29. They are going to to always put a premium on athleticism, football IQ and character and he checks all the boxes. Where he actually slots in for us is a different story but I don’t think it would stop Holmes.
Although in relooking the trade seems a touch light. Feels like we are missing another mid-round pick
The trade chart a lot of teams go by says we come out ahead on that and would be the team that has to chip in a 5th rounder to make it even. I'm with you, though. I feel like there has to be a little more of a tax to fall back into the middle of the 2nd with that kind of uncertainty. Especially in a year when we're hosting the draft (which shouldn't matter but I think we all know it does).
You guys ready for black jerseys again? Think I’m going to miss our greys really quickly. Can only think of chuck, Matt Millen, and Joey Harrington in the blacks
No. Black jerseys suck and have no place with the Lions. I wasn't a fan of the grey either. Blue and White jerseys with Blue, White, and Silver pants options would be ideal.
They're basically a more boring version of what we already had because the font is bigger and more traditional, right? And don't get me wrong, I like them better than the old ones for that reason (and the stupid WCF patch being gone). But this is also probably the most boring redesign announcement in the history of sports.
I know some people really hate the idea of black jerseys when it's not one of your colors, but I'm intrigued if we're talking all black unis with the blue helmets. I don't know if those would look good, but I think they would look better than the all grays. I reserve the right to change my mind if they look dumb, though.
But we already have a Brian Branch at home. Spoiler I actually like having these versatile and athletic secondary guys and think he’ll be a good pro
A friend of mine who works for Nike helped on the team that designed those, was annoyed I couldn't get him to say a peep before the reveal.
Didn't even notice until I gave my friend props about the jerseys and especially removing the dumb wcf patch.....it's not completely gone, it's on the back of the helmets....
The black jerseys look really cool. They just don't look like a Lions' jersey. And that probably shouldn't matter to me at this point in pro or college sports, but it still kind of does. The rest is great as long as they never try to wear the black pants with the white or blue jerseys. That will be a bridge too far for me.