a lot of talk about the Lions taking one of Michigans two outstanding DTs in the first round. They should be careful though, while Michigan has the most victories in college football history, you wouldn’t know it by the NFL careers of its defensive tackles. Only Tom Keating, a fourth-round draft choice by Minnesota in 1964, made the Pro Bowl as a full-fledged defensive tackle.
This is a great class of D tackle. Even the DTackles of the second round have good talent. Harmon, Nolan and Grant in that order appear to be likely pick!
This is such a deep draft for DL including DT/NT that it would be criminal to not draft at least 2 DL considering next year. Do we really think the Lions can afford to fill out a DL after Hutch and McNeil in Free Agency next year and are we going to depend on a couple of rookies.
Heck, draft 3 guys, one each day of the draft, it can't hurt.
First off, Justin, I appreciate this format and anything that rescues you from "Kiper Kalls" is worth it imo.
Would love to see Harmon, even if they have to trade up to get him.
I'm not sold on this group without McNeil, or until he's able to return from injury, but ACLs are 12-18 month timelines, aren't they? Wouldn't that put his likely return late-season at the earliest?
Most of these are the same guys who couldn't contain Daniels in the playoff game (or Allen for that matter). Still, Holmes has consistently chosen well in the draft, so I'ma let it play out and cheer on, no matter what.
100% in Harmon, if there is a way that Holmes can get him he needs to do it.
I would trade a day 2 pick from next year to move up. Especially if the Lions can get a 4th or 5th, or both beside the move up, Seattle might be interested. I just worry that might be too late to get him.
It's less than that with ACLs with modern procedures and rehab. The short end is eight months. Most players are able to return within a year. I don't have enough expertise to tell you whether McNeill's frame adds to the recovery time, but I would think he'll be back somewhere in the second half of the season.
Sure would be great if Martin pulled off a massive third year leap in performance, like Barnes, Iffy, Levi, and Jamo did. However, statistically Brad Holmes is overdue to miss on a pick, and maybe it's Martin.
If Martin comes in and performs, I'm all for it, but it would be a heck of a surprise. The fact that the Lions were in such desperate shape on the D line at the end of last year and Martin couldn't even be active on game day showed how far he has to come. And that was presumably after he'd had sufficient time to recover from his early in the season injury. I was pleasantly surprised by Barnes, Iffy, and Levi in their third seasons. I would love to be similarly surprised by Martin, but Martin has shown a LOT less than those three did In their first two seasons.
a lot of talk about the Lions taking one of Michigans two outstanding DTs in the first round. They should be careful though, while Michigan has the most victories in college football history, you wouldn’t know it by the NFL careers of its defensive tackles. Only Tom Keating, a fourth-round draft choice by Minnesota in 1964, made the Pro Bowl as a full-fledged defensive tackle.
This is a great class of D tackle. Even the DTackles of the second round have good talent. Harmon, Nolan and Grant in that order appear to be likely pick!
This is such a deep draft for DL including DT/NT that it would be criminal to not draft at least 2 DL considering next year. Do we really think the Lions can afford to fill out a DL after Hutch and McNeil in Free Agency next year and are we going to depend on a couple of rookies.
Heck, draft 3 guys, one each day of the draft, it can't hurt.
First off, Justin, I appreciate this format and anything that rescues you from "Kiper Kalls" is worth it imo.
Would love to see Harmon, even if they have to trade up to get him.
I'm not sold on this group without McNeil, or until he's able to return from injury, but ACLs are 12-18 month timelines, aren't they? Wouldn't that put his likely return late-season at the earliest?
Most of these are the same guys who couldn't contain Daniels in the playoff game (or Allen for that matter). Still, Holmes has consistently chosen well in the draft, so I'ma let it play out and cheer on, no matter what.
100% in Harmon, if there is a way that Holmes can get him he needs to do it.
I would trade a day 2 pick from next year to move up. Especially if the Lions can get a 4th or 5th, or both beside the move up, Seattle might be interested. I just worry that might be too late to get him.
It's less than that with ACLs with modern procedures and rehab. The short end is eight months. Most players are able to return within a year. I don't have enough expertise to tell you whether McNeill's frame adds to the recovery time, but I would think he'll be back somewhere in the second half of the season.
Sure would be great if Martin pulled off a massive third year leap in performance, like Barnes, Iffy, Levi, and Jamo did. However, statistically Brad Holmes is overdue to miss on a pick, and maybe it's Martin.
Are you saying maybe we are overreacting a little with Martin?
He needs to prove something but he is capable of doing it, the talent is there.
He was coming along last year and had really started to take his conditioning serious last off season. If he builds off that this off season who know.
If Martin comes in and performs, I'm all for it, but it would be a heck of a surprise. The fact that the Lions were in such desperate shape on the D line at the end of last year and Martin couldn't even be active on game day showed how far he has to come. And that was presumably after he'd had sufficient time to recover from his early in the season injury. I was pleasantly surprised by Barnes, Iffy, and Levi in their third seasons. I would love to be similarly surprised by Martin, but Martin has shown a LOT less than those three did In their first two seasons.
Staying ahead and planning beyond the current season is never ending. I like this direction and attention to details.
Edge, DT, IOL, WR & S are must haves out of the draft. Great write up, Justin. I especially like the potential fits at each day of the draft.
Howard cross great late round pick