There was a time when people thought we shouldn't draft Calvin #2 overall because we had drafted WRs in the top 10 three of the previous four years. Passing on him would have been stupid. I was against the idea of drafting Aaron Donald in 2014 because we had recently drafted Suh and Fairley as DTs in the first round and I wasn't sure if he'd play for a while. I was a moron to think that. I realize that TE is different than other positions, but Pitts is different from other TEs. I get the reasons people would hate it, but if they think Pitts is clearly the best player and is as good as a lot of people think, Ebron and Hockenson being taken where they were should not stop them from making that pick. Especially since Hockenson's abilities match very well with Pitts' weakness, and could allow both of them to thrive.
Pitts would be the 9th TE taken in the top 10 of the NFL draft since 1975 and the Lions 3rd in the last 8 years. The non-Lions: Vernon Davis, Kellen Winslow, Rickey Dudley, Kyle Brady, Paul Bergmann and Junior Miller. The point is the that anybody who gave a top 10 grade to a TE over the last 45 years was wrong to do it. Not because the Lions have done it recently, but because everybody who does it is wrong. Although that the Lions keep doing it is also evidence that it is wrong.
Not sure I love that move. I get why they did it, but I liked the ability to move on after 22 without any other repercussions. This doesn't keep him around, but it's going to make it harder for them to want to pull that trigger if they should.
It certainly makes the chances of taking a QB at 7 less likely, but I’m not ready dismiss the idea entirely.
I wish they they would have have just bit the bullet this season and not restructered Goff, but $10M in dead money in '23 is not a huge burden. The cap will go up exponentially between '22 and '23 if it doesn't rebound after this year.
Latest Ringer mock has the Lions taking OT Rashawn Slater at 7, with all 4 QBs, Sewell and Pitts off the board and all of the WRs sitting there. I think I'd rather have Chase in this spot. Spoiler: Ringer Detroit Lions The Lions took steps to surround Jared Goff with veteran talent in free agency, signing running back Jamaal Williams and receivers Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams. But the team still needs to bolster its offensive line, and Slater is an excellent option in the draft. The Northwestern standout could start at right tackle or either guard spot in the short term before becoming a long-term stalwart at left tackle. Smooth Footwork Refined Technique Short-Area Quickness Well-built, athletic left tackle who’s a technician as a pass blocker, dependable as a run blocker, and capable of manning multiple spots on the line 2019 STATS Based on 11 games played Games 11 GMS Starts 11 STARTS Sacks Allowed 0 SK ALL SCOUTING REPORT Slater has a powerfully built base to go with good balance and quick feet. The son of Reggie Slater, who played eight seasons in the NBA, Rashawn inherited some power-forward-style traits from his dad: He’s rugged and physical but is also a smooth, athletic mover who expertly mirrors pass rushers, uses his hands to control the rep, and grapples with opponents, showing the upper body torque to latch on and sustain blocks while holding his ground. He knows how to gather his feet to reset if driven off his spot initially, and plays with a calm, collected demeanor. Slater went toe-to-toe with future no. 2 pick (and 2020 Pro Bowler) Chase Young when Northwestern played Ohio State in 2019, and more than held his own in the contest. In fact, Slater performed well against pretty much every top-level pass rusher he faced. Slater manned the right tackle spot his first two seasons for the Wildcats before moving to left tackle in 2019, allowing zero sacks and just six quarterback pressures in 11 games. He opted out in 2020. In the run game, Slater has forklift power to uproot defenders and control blocks. He runs his feet in the ground game, creating movement at the point of attack. And he showed the ability to execute backside blocks consistently, and move to the second level to reach and seal defenders. Slater is susceptible to over-setting at the snap and letting a pass rusher get back inside at times, and his lack of prototype length for the left tackle position could mean some teams see him more as an interior lineman. WHY HE COULD RISE Slater is a battle-tested technician at offensive tackle, possessing nimble feet, strong hands, and the potential to play at multiple spots on the line. WHY HE COULD FALL Some teams might dock him for a lack of elite length.
Chase would be a no doubter there imo. An OT being available is our best chance of trading down though (assuming the QBs are off the board)
I don't think we'd be able to trade down unless there is a QB or Sewell available, but if Sewell somehow fell to 7 he'd also be a no-brainer. It does seem like Slater has a lot of buzz right now.
Parsons would be perfect for us, but I'm scared as hell of all the vague "character" stuff that the draft internet people throw out there without saying exactly what it is. I know there was the lawsuit the former teammate filed about hazing, but it seems like there are rumors of worse stuff in his past similar to what happened with Reuben Foster 4-5 years ago before the draft (which ended up being right).
He would have been a nice 2nd rounder if they went defense in the 1st. Probably won't be around if that 4.35 is legit
Elijah Moore is my 2nd round WR hope, but he ran in the mid-4.3s today and I'm starting to think he'll end up in round 1.
His shit dates back to his high school days. There were plenty of similar bad "rumors" about him in high school...Urban had him and just abruptly stopped recruiting him and used a "violation" (Parsons getting his picture taken on set of Gameday at OSU) as the public reason...but, they obviously could have gotten that figured out easily. You had to be a pretty big shit head to have Urban let PSU have a 5* athletic freak.
Yeah those "similated sexual assault" allegations sound a lot like "actual sexual assault." Penises in faces and buttcracks, humping on folks, yada yada yada.
And SF must feel like there are 2 guys after Lawrence worth that deal, because they have no idea who will go at 2.
That’s what Schefter said after his tweet. I don’t think ATL wants to be forced into picking a QB, so my guess is they trade back to get in on the trade value madness. If that happens, I think Cincinnati gets Burrow his old running buddy Chase because that team needs weapons (they also need OL). I think the Chase connection to Burrow makes more sense in a weird scouting year though. I think Philly is in a trade down spot for a team desperate for one of the OT, so I’ll say Sewell goes 6. I think we are still in a position to make a deal to a team that wants Slater or Pitts. If we stick at 7, I’m going to guess we take Pitts or Waddle though.
Yeah, worst case for the Lions is that all 4 QBs, Chase and Sewell are gone, which seems awfully likely, but it is possible that somebody grabs Pitts or a wild card and one of those 6 is available at seven. If it's Chase or Sewell you just draft them, and if it's a QB you trade. I feel like Carolina will be looking to move up to 4 and then when Cinci takes Chase I could see Philly taking Pitts and leaving Sewell at 7.
So the Dolphins traded #3, #12 and a 2022 first rounder for #6, a 3rd round comp pick, a 2022 first rounder and a 2023 first rounder? Does that work out to #3 for #6, a 3rd round comp pick and a '23 first rounder? Is that good? Probably?
I think Cinci takes Sewell. They have no OL. The Chase connection is obvious, but I think Sewell is the clear favorite there.
Considering the Bengals being cheap with scouting I actually think they pass on Sewell because of the Burrow connection. They have less data than most on a guy like Sewell imo.
My thought on the Bengals taking Chase over Sewell is that they're a terrible organization run by idiots.
Has Mac Jones moved himself into the conversation of being a top 10 pick? I'm reading a bunch of analysis re: the trades today and there is chatter that Jones is in the mix for the Lions at 7. That seems crazy. I'd take Goff over Jones for the next 5 years.
If the top four picks are QB, Jones will absolutely go too 10. I don’t think Detroit would draft him, but you never know.
Dane Brugler’s big board 1. Lawrence 2. Pitts 3. Wilson 4. Chase 5. Sewell 6. Waddle 7. Lance 8. Fields 9. Smith 10. Surtain
Assuming the top 4 QBs are gone, take whoever is left between Chase, Sewell, and Pitts. Save your energy and analytics for nailing rounds 2-7
Campbell was asked about Pitts and he mentioned Pitts, the wide receivers, the QBs and the Tackle as guys that are intriguing. No surprise but interesting he specifically said just one tackle.