Draft preview: The Lions enter the draft with picks 20, 51, 82, 117, 153, and 237. That is a total of just 6 picks. Look for Detroit to try to add a couple extra picks, either by trading down, or by using some 2019 picks (they have an extra 5^th and 6^th in 2019 from previous trades). As you look at Detroit’s roster as it currently stands, they used free agency mainly to patch some holes with veterans on short contracts as band-aids, and some of those spots could still be upgraded in the draft.

QB: There doesn’t seem to be a reason to take a quarterback at any point in this draft as they just signed QB Matt Cassel to complete with QB Jake Rudock for the backup job to QB Matthew Stafford. I would expect them to pick somebody up after the draft to be the fourth quarterback in camp and potentially make the practice squad. The Lions have shown some interest in QB Kyle Lauletta of Richmond but he’ll probably go in the middle rounds. There was some talk last summer that Rudock had some trade value around the league but I doubt anything materializes.

RB: I still feel like there is good depth at running back in this draft and in my opinion the Lions should grab someone in round 2 or 3 that can handle the majority of the workload. That would set up a nice committee with RB LeGarrette Blount for short yardage/goal line/4 minute offense, and RB Theo Riddick for the 3^rd down/2 minute/pass catching/hurry up role. The other holdovers from last year could battle for the last 1 or 2 spots on the depth chart, or in the case of RB Ameer Abdullah, perhaps a team would offer a late round pick for him. The local beat writers who were at GM Bob Quinn’s press conference felt like he downplayed the need for a running back. I think they may consider RB Derrius Guice of LSU if he is on the board at 20, but more likely, they end up with one of the Georgia guys, or RB Kerryon Johnson.

WR/TE: Wide receiver isn’t much of a need in this draft. WR Golden Tate is in the last year of his contract, but’s he still going strong and could sign an extension. If they do draft a receiver, it will probably be in the late rounds. By the way, barring a major injury in a minicamp or something, the Lions will not be interested in Dez Bryant. The Lions made another bargain bin free agent pickup at tight end with TE Levine Toilolo. He’s more of a blocker, so he fits in with

TE Luke Willson who is more of a receiver. The Lions had TE Hayden Hurst in for a visit, but I would be very surprised if they went in that direction in round 1. Hurst played some minor league baseball and will be 25 when the season starts.

OL: There are two guards, Isaiah Wynn of Georgia, and Will Hernandez of UTEP, that could be in play at 20 as left guard is not a solidified position right now on Detroit’s roster. Hernandez is said to be big and nasty, and would help upgrade the Lions’ terrible running game.

DL: No messing around with DE Ziggy Ansah. He signed his franchise tender. That doesn’t change the fact that the Lions need a lot of help on the defensive line. They have been linked to several of the first round defensive line prospects. If I had to guess, I would say the Lions stay at 20 and pick the best available defensive lineman, probably from a group that includes DE Marcus Davenport of UTSA, DE Harold Landry of Boston College, or DT Taven Bryan of Florida.

LB: The Lions invested in this position in free agency more than any other position, but some still think they will look for a linebacker in the draft. They have shown interest in LB Leighton Vander Esch of Boise State.

DB: The Lions look a little thin at safety. Glover Quin isn’t getting any younger so I would expect a middle round pick on a safety, and teams can always use depth at corner but with so few picks it might be tough to use two picks on defensive backs.

ST: The Lions do not need to draft any specialists, and they found a return man in last year’s draft with Jamal Agnew.

2018 Schedule:

Week 1 (MON) Sept. 10 vs. NY Jets 7:10 (ESPN)

Week 2 Sept. 16 at San Francisco 4:05

Week 3 Sept. 23 vs. New England 8:20 (NBC)

Week 4 Sept. 30 at Dallas 1:00

Week 5 Oct. 7 vs. Green Bay 1:00

Week 6 Oct. 14 BYE

Week 7 Oct. 21 at Miami 1:00

Week 8 Oct. 28 vs. Seattle 1:00

Week 9 Nov. 4 at Minnesota 1:00

Week 10 Nov. 11 at Chicago 1:00

Week 11 Nov. 18 vs. Carolina 1:00

Week 12 (THU) Nov. 22 vs. Chicago 12:30 (CBS)

Week 13 Dec. 2 vs. LA Rams 1:00

Week 14 Dec. 9 at Arizona 4:25

Week 15 Dec. 16 at Buffalo 1:00

Week 16 Dec. 23 vs. Minnesota 1:00

Week 17 Dec. 30 at Green Bay 1:00

Schedule thoughts: Nothing that really stands out for fantasy value purposes. There are a few quirks, like playing the Bears twice in an 11 day span. The three road games with the most potential for poor weather (CHI, BUF, GB) are all in the second half of the season, with the trips to Buffalo and Green Bay coming really late. Of course week 17 usually doesn’t matter much in fantasy leagues. There was some talk that the Lions could request the games at San Francisco and Arizona be placed back to back so they could stay out west but that didn’t happen. The fantasy playoff stretch from week 14 to 16 has some tough defenses on the Lions schedule. Weeks 7 through 11 are the most common bye weeks, so with an uncommon week 6 bye that they only share with New Orleans, Lions players could be useful in the middle of the season when fantasy depth is tested.

Next month we will review the draft.

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