*TEAM NEEDS: QB, PASS RUSH, TEAM SPEED, LB, WR, SECONDARY, DEFENSIVE LINE DEPTH, OFFENSIVE LINE DEPTH, PLAYMAKING.
*TEAM POSITIVES: FS, CB1, OFFENSIVE LINE, RBs, TE.
*FREE AGENT SIGNINGS: CHARLES HARRIS (RETAINED), DJ CHARK (JACKSONVILLE), JOSH REYNOLDS (RETAINED), TRACY WALKER (RETAINED), CHRIS BOARD (RAVENS), MIKE HUGHES (CHIEFS), JARRAD DAVIS (JETS), KALIF RAYMOND (RETAINED, ALEX ANZALONE (RETAINED).
1ST ROUND
*TRADE ALERT : Lions Receive / 2022 1st Rnd #5, 2nd Rnd #36, & 2023 2nd // Giants Receive / 2022 1st Rnd #2
5. Malik Willis, 6-0 225 LBS QB/Liberty.
The Lions managed to move back three spots, pick up two extra 2nd Round Picks (2022 & 2023), and still have their franchise QB fall right in their laps.
32. Arnold Ebiketie, 6-3 256 LBS EDGE/Penn State
Ebiketie’s 2021 season graded out as a Top-3 player in the country strictly from a pass-rush standpoint. He had a grade of 90.5 with 52 QB pressures, 9.5 Sacks, and 2 FFs.
2ND ROUND
34. Nik Bonitto, 6-3 240 LBS EDGE/Oklahoma
This front-seven desperately needs a gifted pass-rusher to pair with a healthy Romeo Okwara and help unlock this pass rush. Bonitto has improvements to make in the run game, but from day one he should be able to cause pressure.
*TRADE ALERT : Lions Receive : 2022 Rnd 2 #60, Rnd 3 #91, & Rnd 4 #133 // Buccaneers Receive : 2022 Rnd 2 #36 (Via Giants)
60. Troy Anderson, 6-4 235 LBS LB/Montana State
Huge and athletic! Former QB and RB! Has only been playing LB for two years. Listed at 235 lbs at the Combine, eight lbs under his playing weight. Excels in coverage and is a solid tackler with tons of pass-rush upside. Anderson had firmly been on the NFL Radar since 2019, but he when he tested well above expectations at the Combine, running a 4.42 40-yard dash and posting a 36-inch vertical leap, he immediately skyrocketed up boards.
3RD ROUND
66. Calvin Austin III, 5-9 172 LBS WR/Memphis
Provides tremendous versatility in the return game as well as from scrimmage. Elite quickness and straight-line speed with outstanding footwork to beat press coverage. Has all the physical tools of a legit X receiver within a small frame.
91. Dameon Pierce, 5-11 218 LBS RB/Florida
In any other draft where RBs aren’t devalued, Pierce would probably be a late first-round pick. Very smooth runner for a back of his size, and still runs with serious power and contact balance. D’Andre Swift still hasn’t shown the ability to consistently run between the tackles, is a (UFA) after the 2023 season, and this current regime also did not select him. Meanwhile, Jamaal Williams is embarking on the final year of a two-year $6M deal with a base salary of $4M in 2022. Williams will also be a (UFA)!
97. Dohnovan West, 6-4 300 LBS G-C/Arizona State
Plays with routine aggression and leverage at the point of attack. Has a solid base and is very quick out of his stance. Three-year starter with swing potential between Center and Guard. Would be a welcomed addition to a group that is welcoming back its best player in Frank Ragnow, and received an unexpected surprise in play at Center from Evan Brown.
4TH ROUND
133. Tyquan Thornton, 6-3 182 LBS WR/Baylor
Thornton is a legit track star with height and soft hands. Plays to every bit of the 4.28 he ran at the NFL Combine and is tougher than his slim frame would lead to believe. At the moment, as a receiver, Thornton is a work-in-progress, but the raw talent is evident and you can’t teach 6-3 4.28!
5TH ROUND
177. Cade Mays, 6-6 325 LBS G/Tennessee
At this point in the draft, Offensive Line depth and experience matters. Mays has played a ton of snaps at all five positions against the best athletes in the country in the SEC Conference.
6TH ROUND
181. Marquan McCall, 6-4 342 LBS NT/Kentucky
Flashed a great amount of potential in 2021! Light on his feet, violent with his hands, and is impossible to move in the run game. Provides depth behind last year’s rookie Alim McNeil, but if McCall ever reaches his ceiling, we could be looking at a mainstay with the Lions’ defensive front.
217. Josh Rivas, 6-6 320 LBS G/Kansas State
1,954 career collegiate snaps, graded out as one of the most consistent Guards in America in 2021 in both pass and run blocking.
7TH ROUND
234. Jack Coan, 6-3 218 LBS QB/Notre Dame
You can never go wrong attempting to upgrade the talent level in the QB Room. QB Jared Goff’s long-term future is still in question, and investing the 5th Overall Pick in this year’s draft in Malik Willis all but seals the fate of either Tim Boyle or David Blough. Coan displayed impressive arm strength, decision-making, and late-game intangibles in 2021. He gives Detroit another arm to grow within the new regime.
