The Detroit Lions are under a new head coaching regime with Matt Patricia to try to bring the Patriots system to the Motor City. Gm, Bob Quinn, is also from the Patriots system. The question is whether they can actually replicate what the Pats have going. Many have tried, zero have succeeded. With a franchise quarterback in place with Matt Stafford, Detroit has failed to put together a talented roster for his entire career. Will things be different for the Lions in 2018? What can we expect from the Detroit Lions heading into the 2018 NFL Draft?
The Lions hold the 20th pick in the draft and probably will focus on the defensive side of the ball. Outside of Darius Slay and Ezekiel Ansah, the Lions aren’t working with a whole lot. Baring a trade, this feels like a sweet spot for Leighton Vander Esh. The Boise State product feels like the sort of hybrid linebacker that Kyle Van Noy has been in New England. Vander Esh can really cover with the best of them and can also rush the passer. If you want to see how good this guy can be, go watch the bowl game against Oregon.
In the second or third round, I would expect the Lions to go tight end at some point. Eric Ebron was largely a bust. More importantly, the Lions haven’t had much of a blocking tight end with Ebron either. Now that the former first rounder is out the door, Detroit is in serious need of a middle of the field pass catcher. Mark Andrews of Oklahoma could be a target for the team who is one of the more complete tight ends in the draft. Andrews can really block and proved to be a red zone threat reeling in 8 touchdowns this past year.
