Probably the most anticipated event of the offseason for Lions fans is that of the NFL Draft. This year’s especially was a point of emphasis for the organization considering the new regime in the front office and what (if any) difference that may bring come draft day.
So with the 2016 NFL Draft now over, lets take a look at Bob Quinn and the Lions’ final grades.
Round One (16 overall) – Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
It seems like fans are either all about this pick or don’t like it at all. For me I’m right in the middle with it considering where the Lions were coming from with the selection and what Decker has to offer. For a change I’m glad the Lions didn’t go with the ‘best player available’ and instead went with a position of need. Decker, a former Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, offers plenty of locker room and on the field leadership something the Lions as a team still could use. Decker also generally has good strength and effectively uses his reach and hands to latch onto rushers limiting what they can do on the ground.
On the flip, Decker doesn’t excel in any one thing on the line and won’t wow anyone with what he can do after the snap. This includes losing leverage as rushers try to get low on him and will at times fall asleep with late pressure to the quarterback.
Decker will be starter from day one for the Lions and is better than anything they had going for them last season from the offensive tackle position.
Could Decker have been taken later? Yes, Pro Football Focus had him as a second round pick again though the Lions finally have an understanding in the front office that success in the NFL starts in the trenches and not at wideout or tight end.
Grade: C+
Round Two (46 overall) – A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Heading into the draft, I actually saw a few mock drafts that had Robinson going late in the first round. I personally believe that would’ve been a reach however I do think the Lions got some nice value (draft wise) when it comes to where they selected this big Alabama defensive tackle.
Even with his large frame, Robinson is a good athlete who’ll work very well on the Detroit defensive line plugging up the gaps, gaining separation and drawing double teams. He also has nice vision and ball awareness getting deflections at the line to further help his teams secondary defend the pass.
On the other hand Robinson does have some problems rushing the passer and isn’t quick off the line which will further hamper his ability to put pressure on the quarterback.
Robinson ultimately may not be an every down defender for the Lions given his rawness in the passing game however he’ll be able to step right in when the opposition is looking to run the ball.
Grade: B
Round Three (95 overall) – Graham Glasgow, C, Michigan
This is another pick that not too many people are high on however given Travis Swanson’s inability to be productive as a starting center for the Lions.
Lions fans should be familiar with Glasgow and his work at the University of Michigan. They should also be aware of the strong senior season he had which helped his draft stock heading into this season.
Glasgow is smart on the field and will do a much better job for the Lions creating holes for the running game and working through defenders.
He is perhaps a little tall for the position and may not be able to step in off the bat as a full-time starter meaning more inconsistency in 2016 from the center spot.
Grade: B-
Round Four (111 overall) – Miles Killebrew, SS, Southern Utah
I think this a guy Lions fans can really fall in love with.
Killebrew is an extremely physical defender who was a very productive four-year starter for Southern Utah outputting consecutive 100-tackle seasons in his junior and senior seasons. He’s also well-built for a strong safety and could sometimes fill in at linebacker during nickel packages.
Killebrew’s strengths though could lead to some of his weaknesses.
He gets tunnel vision on the field and locks too much into his target which will either allow too much to happen around him or enable the offense to gain extra yardage given Killebrew waiting on the ball carrier to come to him.
Grade: B+
Round Five (151 overall) – Joe Dahl, OG, Washington State
The Lions continued to add depth on their offensive line and got some nice value here in the fifth round with Joe Dahl out of Washington State.
Although he could play both tackle and guard in college, Dahl will more than likely transition full-time to the inside at the NFL level. While on the inside Dahl should give the Lions nice pass protection as he was prone to doing at Washington State and will offer good initial protection with the running game.
Unfortunately his initial step off the line when it comes to the run isn’t sustainable given his lack of bulk. Because of this Dahl won’t be an every down guard in the NFL.
Grade: A-
Round Five (169 overall) – Antwione Williams, OLB, Georgia Southern
Williams was versatile while at Georgia Southern and one of the more productive members on that squad leading the team tackles (107), tackles for a loss (10.5), sacks (4.0) and forced fumbles (four). Despite his high numbers he does lack explosiveness and will more than likely transition into a special teams player in the NFL.
Grade: B+
Round Six (191 overall) – Jake Rudock, QB, Michigan
Although unimpressive to start last season, Rudock really improved as the year progressed which ultimately turned him into NFL Draft material.
As many Lions fans could have seen, Rudock won’t give you much as a down the field passer but was a very good check down quarterback and lived in the film room.
The bottom line though is why waste a draft pick on a guy you know won’t compete for the starting job or help in making Matthew Stafford better?
Grade: E
Round Six (202 overall) – Anthony Zettel, DE, Penn State
Zettel is a work horse who’s quick off the snap, has good hands and aggressive motor that doesn’t take any downs off. However much like the aforementioned Miles Killebrew, Zettel’s aggressive on the line is what will be his weakness at the NFL level. This comes with him over compensating plays and over running routes.
Grade: A-
Round Six (210 overall) – Jimmy Landes, LS, Baylor
Landes was primarily a long-snapper at Baylor which means his versatility in the NFL will be limited to just that on the special teams.
Much like a quarterback who you know won’t compete for the starting job, why draft a one-trick special teams player that can probably be had as an undrafted free agent?
Grade: D
Round Seven (236 overall) – Dwayne Washington, RB, Washington
Washington isn’t a guy that will go between the tackles, instead opting to go to the edge. Not only that he’s a guy that has ball security issues something the Lions already have their fill with in Ameer Abdullah. He’s not bad when it comes to catching the pass in the backfield but again, the Lions already have a much better option in Theo Riddick.
Grade: D-
Final Assessment
Quinn made some nice selections at the beginning and middle of the draft while clearly heading into Chicago with a game plan in hand. However some of this late picks left you scratching your heads. Because of some of the lower marks past round five, the final team tally was brought down to a high C. But since a lot of those guys, nonetheless wouldn’t have made the team anyway we’ll go ahead and bump up the Lions’ final grade to a B-.
Final Grade: B-