In last week’s Mock Draft round, offensive skill players were strongly connected to the Detroit Lions, and after almost a week of free agency, it hasn’t changed much.
A recognizable change this week was that, for the first time since January, none of the notable fake draft sites connected Lions with a quarterback. Perhaps it is because Jared Goff’s trade has dropped this week, or possibly because general manager Brad Holmes has noted that he expects him to be the incumbent in 2021, or something as simple as the way Lions have been slow to act as a free agent. Regardless of the reasoning, simulated drafts have tended in that direction in recent weeks.
Let’s take a look at who was designed for Lions last week.
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Currently being ridiculed by Josh Edwards (CBS Sports)
Edwards: “Ja’Marr Chase is the first wide receiver off the board for a Detroit team that essentially showed everyone the door. The Lions signed Tyrell Williams, but Marvin Jones is gone and Kenny Golladay will soon be. Jared Goff needs more weapons in the passing game. “
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Currently being ridiculed by Mark Schofield (Landing wire), Rob Rang (Fox Sports), and Carmen Vitali (Buccaneers.com)
Schofield: “DeVonta Smith may be an attractive option here, but Waddle’s ability to separate, determine routes and work at all levels of the field is equally attractive. If I am in the room it is a difficult choice, but I love what Waddle brings to the table and I will be hitting the same table for him. “
Rang: “The new quarterback Jared Goff will need game creators to live up to Matthew Stafford’s position, with strong arms, and the Lions’ main targets are all free agents. Waddle has the elusiveness and speed to immediately become Goff’s favorite target. “
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Currently being ridiculed by Lance Zierlein (NFL.com), Emory Hunt (CBS Sports), Matthew Tabeek (AtlantaFalcons.com), Hodgkinson (Pro Football Network), Matt Williamson (Pro Football Network), Doug Hyde (Draft Tek), and the Tankathon Staff
Zierlein: “Detroit desperately needs to find new recipients for newly minted Lion Jared Goff. Smith is the most talented internal / external target in this draft. “
Hunt: “I like what the Lions are building on their list with new coach Dan Campbell, both with the field staff and their coaches. Getting the winner of the Heisman Trophy gives them a real game break at the perimeter. “
Kyle Pitts, Big Skill, Florida
Currently being ridiculed by Benjamin Robinson (Football Outsiders)
Robinson: “Kyle Pitts doesn’t have to wait much longer. I don’t think Lions will ignore Pitts if it is available. Lions are quite consensual writers on my Grinding the Mocks data, and Pitts is already a consensus player in the top 10 and could be in the top five on draft night. Pitts and TJ Hockenson would create an attack centered on the very closed end. “
Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Currently being ridiculed by Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports)
Trapasso had Lions select Slater after negotiating back with the San Francisco 49ers for choice # 12 – no other business details were mentioned. Trapasso would say the following about Slater: “Strictly a philosophy of best available player coming true here for Lions”.
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Currently being ridiculed by Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports) and Eddie Brown (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Wilson: “Parsons gave up, but he is a player who has not damaged his draft stock by doing so. He may end up being the best linebacker off the ball in the past 4-5 years. “
Brown: “New coach Dan Campbell will find the cabinet completely empty in the linebacker. Parsons is another elite prospect who has opted out of the 2020 season, citing “the potential risk to his son’s health and well-being”. I did not find bent knee pads when studying Parsons, but I know that he plays across the field, faces anyone who is within reach and, occasionally, some who are not ”.