Lions mailbag: On NFL draft prospects, Detroit’s strategy and more

That query from Anand is type of an elephant within the room in a variety of draft circles.

Bijan Robinson is sort of universally listed as one of many prime 5 general abilities (he’s my private No. 3) in your entire draft. But projecting him within the first spherical is an anathema to many followers and particularly to analytics-driven analysts. The return on funding for a first-round RB merely isn’t there, the info conclusively states. Or so they are saying.

The query about return on funding is an fascinating one. Is Robinson that rather more of a difference-maker on the NFL degree than what the Lions (or any staff) might draft within the second or third spherical? How a lot direct affect would he have with David Montgomery and D’Andre Swift already on the roster in 2023?

My private take: I feel that is one of the best general working again class since 2005, when three RBs (Ronnie Brown, Cadillac Williams, Cedric Benson) went within the prime 5. But one of the best NFL RB to return out of that 2005 class was the primary decide of the third spherical, Frank Gore. Fourth-rounders Marion Barber III, Darren Sproles and Brandon Jacobs all introduced extra worth to their NFL groups than any of the first-rounders did in a number of seasons.

Robinson is a particular expertise. However in my eyes, he doesn’t add considerably extra worth to Detroit in a four-year span than what Jahmyr Gibbs, Zach Charbonnet, Tank Bigsby or Devon Achane would add later within the draft. The dropoff from Robinson at 18 to any of these gamers later is considerably lower than the dropoff could be at different positions.

However it’s nonetheless enjoyable to ponder what touchdown one of the best RB prospect in years might do in a artistic offense in Detroit with arguably the NFL’s prime run-blocking offensive line.