The Detroit Lions 2015 NFL Draft came and went in exciting fashion. The Lions had seven selections this year and there were mixed feelings about this draft among analysts. They were aggressive in the first round and traded down five spots for their first pick. Here’s who they selected:
1st Round, 28th Overall – OG Laken Tomlinson (Duke)
2nd Round, 54th Overall – RB Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska)
3rd Round, 80th Overall – CB Alex Carter (Stanford)
4th Round, 113th Overall – DT Gabe Wright (Auburn)
5th Round, 168th Overall – FB Michael Burton (Rutgers)
6th Round, 200th Overall – CB Quandre Diggs (Texas)
7th Round, 240th Overall – OT Corey Robinson (South Carolina)
Lions 2015 Draft Grade: 9.0/10
Detroit Lions 2015 NFL Draft Review
The Best Player: The Lions didn’t go for a flashy name, but guard Laken Tomlinson is a player that excels in driving big bodies off the line of scrimmage. This addition will help the Lions open up a running game that was one of the worst in the league last season. Tomlinson is an expected starter that will assist an offensive line that failed to protect quarterback Matt Stafford last year.
The Head-Scratcher: Offensive tackle Corey Robinson is not exactly quick on his feet. He lacks the burst to make progress if beaten off the snap and allows his hands to get on the outside of his opponents, which will get him holding calls in the NFL. He also leaves himself vulnerable when he over-extends in pass protection. However, he does possess long arms and good upper body strength. He gives himself great support when he puts his left leg out behind him in order to protect the edge. He has potential but it depends on how much he is willing to put into strength training and practice. Although the seventh-round price tag was not expensive, the team could have used the selection on a better player.
The Surprise Pick: There are only a handful of teams that use fullbacks anymore and it was a surprise that the Lions picked one in the fifth round. However, Rutgers fullback Michael Burton is very talented and athletic. He packed on an extra twenty pounds prior to the draft to show teams that he was worth a selection. The ball falls easily into his hands in the backfield and he can find guys in space. His ability to block and his versatility is what caught Coach Caldwell’s eye.
The Steal: Cornerback Quandre Diggs (Texas) is a real steal for the Lions. He is slightly undersized as a corner but he is energetic and possesses privileged football intelligence. His brother is former cornerback Quentin Jammer if that tells you anything. Diggs was a four-year starter who recorded 168 tackles, eight interceptions and 32 pass breakups over his first three seasons for the Longhorns. He’s the kind of guy that plays with veteran sense and shows natural ball awareness. Diggs is going to be like an annoying gnat to opposing receivers.
Most Likely to Turn Heads in Training Camp: The Lions needed a burst-out running back after losing Reggie Bush to San Francisco. The Lions nabbed Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska) in the second round to fill that hole. Abdullah has great strength in his legs, allowing him to carry a couple of guys down the field to complete a run. He may not have the same explosive speed as Bush, but keep an eye on him in training camp. You will see that when he cuts upfield, he reaches his top speed quickly.
The Rest: Besides Diggs, the Lions also drafted Alex Carter in the third round to bolster their secondary. Carter is a physical attacker and he knows how to shed blocks and throw his body into an opponent. He struggles in press coverage, but that can be polished. In addition, the Lions took defensive tackle Gabe Wright in the fourth round. Wright will be more of a rotational player behind Haloti Ngata. He has great power in his first step and he stays square, fighting against double teams. However, he lacks power behind the pads and he is inconsistent when he pursues plays. With training, these issues can be cleaned up.
The Bottom Line: The Lions addressed their needs on both offense and defense. They took the best available players who could fit into their scheme. The Lions are known for having big players and they did not disappoint with the selections of offensive guard Laken Tomlinson, defensive tackle Gabe Wright, and cornerback Alex Carter. Offensive tackle Corey Robinson will need some work and will get a lot of playing time in the preseason to see if he can handle what is expected of him. Overall, the Lions had solid picks and will give the Packers some close competition again in the battle for the NFC North.
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