Dream Scenario; Lions rd 2-7
As of right now the Lions have 5 picks left in the draft and only 1 today(friday). As we all know, Brad Holmes is not afraid to deal, and I would not be surprised if they a) add a pick or two, or b) sacrifice a pick or two to move up and take the player they want. I think all of us can't really argue with anyone that they choose due to their track record in drafting the past few years. They simply take players that fit their "mold," and they have shown to be great at judging talent and culture fit.
As far as the Michigan mentality, there are two players that I would love to see in the Honolulu blue. The first of two is Junior Colson, which is not really a need for the Lions, but I just feel his style of play really fits with the culture of the team, and I feel is versatile enough to be used in many schemes on this defense. The second is Mike Sainristil. I think the Lions are going to take another corner in this draft, and why not Mikey? He is small in terms of playing the outside receivers in the NFL, but seems to make up for it with his intelligence. He is one of those players that just seems to be where the ball is.
Now obviously both of these Michigan men will likely only be available with their 61rst pick, so realistically, the Lions could only get one of these two. If I had to choose just one of these, it would be Mikey.
As far as overall players that stand out to me with those still available, I like WR Ja'Lynn Polk, Edge Bralen Trice, WR Johnny Wilson(who is predicted to be moved to TE,) and LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. These players of course will likely only be available with the Lions 61rst pick.
I am not going to claim to know enough to judge who the Lions should pick up in the late rounds, but I would love to hear what some of you feel would be the perfect fit for the culture here in Detroit.
So who would be your dream Michigan man for the Lions to pick in the next two days? And regardless of team needs; What player or two overall do you feel would fit this Lions team, and perhaps make a immediate impact.
The only Michigan players I think the Lions would be likely to take would be OL. The Lions positions of need this year for the Lions just don't match the positions that Michigan actually put in the draft.
Lions "needs" - S, OL, WR, EDGE, DT
CB should be off the board, unless the player has clear safety capability as well (I don't see that with Mikey).
The Michigan guys that fit the Lions are (in order of likely selection): Roman Wilson, Kris Jenkins, Zak Zinter, AJ Barner, Cornelius Johnson, Trevor Keegan, Braiden McGregor, Jaylen Harrell.
If Wilson is there at 61 and the Lions don't trade back, I think he's a good pick. DT still feels like a luxury with McNeil and Reader as starters, Onwuzurike as a back-up, and Martin as a developmental guy (DTs usually take time in the NFL). And that doesn't factor in flexible guys like Paschal, Cominsky, and even Hutch.
EDGE feels like a bigger need but I don't want to wait until the bottom of the draft for the UM guys.
Zinter is a steal at 164 (more likely picked-up in a trade down from 61 somewhere in the 100s). Barner and Johnson are two of my favorite late picks for the Lions.
An actual "dream" draft for me looks like trading 61 down for more picks between there and 164. Then getting help at two of the following positions:
- Safety--Bishop, Bullock, DTD, Mustapha, Smith, Oladapo
- OT--Fisher, Paul, Amegadjie, Rosengarten, Jones, Foster
- IOL--Puni, Mahogany, Van Pran, Coleman, McCormick, Zinter, Limmer
- EDGE--Jonah Elliss, Jalyx Hunt, Cedric Johnson, Brennan Jackson
- WR--Javon Baker, Brenden Rice, Luke McCaffrey
Starting at pick 164, we REALLY need to go BPA. I don't care what position. You're just hoping to find guys that can make the team. This Lions roster is not going to be easy to crack. In addition to some of the guys above who might fall, some of my favorite late-rounders are RB Tyrone Tracy, S Sione Vaki, LB Marist Liufau, DT McKinnley Jackson, OG Sataoa Laumea, Barner, CJ, McGregor, Keegan, K Joshua Karty, DT Jaden Crumedy, DT Fabien Lovett, CB Qwan'tez Stiggers, QB Sam Hartman, OL KT Leveston, DB Ryan Watts, QB Devin Leary, LB Michael Barrett.
We dont need a QB, we have Hendon Hooker, also Safety pick will be fir depth as our Secondary is set foe the starters. Dont waste a pick on a kicker unless it is the best in the draft but still that is iffy imo. They are UDFA.
Want McGregor late in draft.
I like these three M guys as well and maybe Zinter tomorrow.
I would love to see Roman Wilson land in LA with JH, seems like a nice fit.
I've seen some mocks with Roman heading to the Chargers, but I won't be surprised if Harbaugh picks up Corum tonight.
I'm thinking there's probably a bigger need for the Chargers at WR than there is at RB, but there's been a few rumors floating around that the Chargers will "do whatever it takes" to land Corum tonight. Now I don't know if that's just Jim trying to prop his guy up and get him drafted higher. Maybe. He also has Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins on his roster now, and if Dobbins can stay healthy then his RB room is pretty good already. But that's a big if.
If Jim decides he needs a running back, and I can't imagine Harbaugh wanting any RB in this year's draft class more than Corum. He knows what Corum can do, he knows his work ethic, he knows literally everything there is to know about him.
Would like to see the Lions get a stud on the DL interior in the second round. Jenkins, Newton (out of Illinios), Sweat (out of Texas) would be my ideal choices there. With that many options I think it is likely there is someone there to take when the Lions pick without trading up.
Also would like to see the Lions pick up a Safety or a good Edge to go opposite Hutch. I like Issac (out of PSU) as the Edge. Nubin (out of Minn) probably won't need a trade up to get him or Dejean (out of Iowa) for safety (almost certainly need a trade up to snag him).
I'd also be fine with Kool-Aid if he drops to us that deep in the second round. I do not think a trade up is smart in the second round unless Holmes/Campbell absolutely loves Dejean.
3rd round gotta hit the Oline. Would love to see them pick up Zinter and would be okay with them grabbing Keegan or Trente Jones. If Blake is available in the 3rd I think he'd be hard to pass up too, but the Oline is priority.
Harder to say in the later rounds but I think there is a good chance AJ Barner is available in the 5th round. I would take him there.
6th and 7th round is always a "best player available" choice for me regardless of team need. Maybe look at WR or add some depth at Safety or CB (the secondary is my main focus as you might be able to tell).
Nubin considered best safety will or should be gone as well as Cooper and Newton. Also we have no 3rd or 4th rd pick. Jones in the 3rd round WTF? He is looked at as a 6th rd at earliest or a UDFA. Bro no offense I admire the effort but do some research on where we pick and where most guys are expected to go
I don't think there is any chance Dejean is there for us at 61. I am hoping that even if involving the 2025 picks, we trade down from 61 and try to get a pick or two more in the 3rd and/or 4th rd.
Swear getting arrested for DUI eliminates him for consideration for Lions.
Cooper Dejean would be fantastic.
They need an Edge Rusher with their next pick. Then OL, Secondary, and maybe WR.
Neither Mike Sainristil or Junior Colson play positions the Lions need in this draft. Brian Branch is locked in at nickel and they just drafted Jack Campbell in the first round last year on top of the other linebackers they already have.
I understand wanting those guys on the team, but I'd rather they draft Zak Zinter, Trevor Keegan, Trente Jones, AJ Barner, or Cornelius Johnson. Most of those guys should be available late and they all play positions where the Lions could use some help.
I love both Colson and Sainristil, and feel they both could be depth and high level special teams as well. But I agree with your options! I think there is more value in the players you mention with the picks we currently have.
The posts above have really swayed my hopes tonight. I really hope they can find a way to trade down, and get a pick or two more. Another 3rd and/or a 4th could really spark this years draft.
What we have to work with in terms of acquiring more 2024 picks ;
Detroit Lions 2025 draft picks
- Own first-round pick
- Own second-round pick
- Own third-round pick
- Own fourth-round pick
- Eagles' fourth-round pick (via the D'Andre Swift trade)
- Own fifth-round pick
- Own seventh-round pick
- Cowboys seventh-round pick (via Terrion Arnold trade)
- Jets' seventh-round pick (via the Denzel Mims trade)
It would be a massive waste of those 2 player's talents and also a waste of draft capital to expect them to primarily contribute on special teams. Those 2 are worthy of starting spots in the NFL immediately. They're both good enough to do that. That's what 2nd round picks are expected to be.
While I would love to have players that step in and start, look at the Lions depth chart. I don't think its even out of the realm that Arnold doesn't start, or at least not right away. I am not sure anyone taken with our 2nd round pick comes in and is given a starting role. I think it will have to be earned as the season progresses. I don't think we have ever had a Lions team where this was the case, but it may be the reality this year. Of course certain packages, or injuries will dictate what has to be done. They really didn't need Gibbs last year, but what a compliment to Montgomery. I don't want to see any injuries, but depth in the right places could be the difference this year between a 2nd rd exit, and a Super Bowl.
Lions are set at TE.
I disagree. Outside of LaPorta, Brock Wright is the only serviceable TE on the team. If one of those two goes down the Lions are in a bind. They still run 2 TE sets at a decent interval. Having a third guy with blocking ability and some decent receiving ability is ideal.
Also James Mitchell isn't the guy.
Roman Wilson, Ladd McConkey, Ja’lynn Polk……I like all those dudes…..they can attack defenses at all levels……if the rest of the division loads up on offensive firepower to put pressure on this team, they need to respond in kind, especially after we just drafted our defensive counter.
They are not taking another CB in round 2, or a LB either. You can book that. Pick is almost certain to be one of OL, DL, or WR.
Can we book that? Can we?
April 26th, 2024 at 10:00 PM ^
Welp I was wrong. But glad I was. Rakestraw was a guy that was being mocked as a late 1st, so getting him as a late 2nd is a steal.
I would live to see Kris Jenkins be the Lions 2nd round pick. Doubt he'll be there but that's my pick.
I try not to be a Michigan homer as a lions fan but the idea of having a secondary with Branch and Sainristil, man you just have two smart versatile guys back there and if Arnold is who everyone thinks he is, you have three skilled but very smart players, playmakers.
I truly believe Saintistil is going to be a gift to whichever team he goes to.
I do not believe in Colson….
Zinger is going to be a steal for someone.
I also think Wilson on the right team will thrive.
April 26th, 2024 at 10:11 PM ^
I know someone who does believe in Colson, probably did their homework on him too.