Roundtable: Best Player Available or Draft for Need?

1.) Do you assume Dan Campbell would approve of the Lions drafting Kayvon Thibodeaux?

Vito Chirco: Properly, I am going to say this to begin off: I do not assume that is even a query if Aidan Hutchinson remains to be accessible at No. 2 general. 

Nonetheless, if Hutchinson is gone, I believe the choose comes right down to Travon Walker and Thibodeaux. Due to Campbell’s reported dislike for Thibodeaux, because of the Oregon EDGE not being a “tradition match,” I believe the group will go for Walker (if selecting between the 2). Nonetheless, I imagine it is a slim margin, and I imagine Campbell might be coerced within the days main up the draft, if Detroit basic supervisor Brad Holmes makes a giant push for Thibodeaux. 

Moreover, I believe a few of what’s been reported has additionally been a “smokescreen,” as in I do not assume Campbell’s dislike for Thibodeaux is as sturdy as what’s been reported. I believe Campbell might be satisfied to pick out Thibodeaux over Walker. So, sure, I believe with some pushing that the second-year Detroit head man would approve of the Lions drafting the previous Oregon standout.

Adam Strozynski: I imagine Dan Campbell understands that he has an uphill climb with placing expertise on this roster, and Thibodeaux is a proficient participant, who could rock the boat. Normally the very best guys within the league have a pair warts and pimples, and Campbell understands this. So, sure, I believe he would approve of Thibodeaux.   

2.) Do the Lions want to pick out a working again on this 12 months’s draft? 

Chirco: No. Whereas the Lions do not possess a bonafide No. 1 working again, I do just like the depth they’ve constructed up on the place, with the likes of D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Jermar Jefferson and Godwin Igwebuike. 

Now, I believe subsequent 12 months’s draft is a distinct story. With Williams’ contract set to run out on the finish of the 2022 season, I may see the Lions turning into gamers for a working again within the 2023 draft.

Strozynski: Final 12 months, you came upon in case your offensive line is nice sufficient. You could possibly’ve had John Maakaron as a working again, and you’d’ve been okay. Simply take a look at Craig Reynolds in Weeks 14 and 15 final season. Going into this 12 months, this workforce is nice sufficient on the working again place, particularly with the roster’s defensive wants. 

3.) If the Lions do find yourself drafting a quarterback, who ought to or not it’s?

Chirco: Though it is unlikely, I will say Liberty quarterback Malik Willis. 

I do know he is largely seen as a developmental prospect and would take a first-round choose (possibly even a top-10 choice). Nonetheless, to me, although he is been overvalued in latest mock drafts, he is the very best signal-caller on this 12 months’s draft class. He is the definition of a dual-threat passer, possessing each a robust arm and the flexibility to beat you together with his legs.

Now, I do not assume the Lions will find yourself taking him until they commerce again into the top-half of the primary spherical (choose No. 10-16 vary). Nonetheless, if Detroit have been to draft a QB, I imagine it must be Willis.

Strozynski: Man, that is powerful, as a result of I do not look after any of those quarterbacks. If I have been a betting man, I might say Kenny Pickett. I believe he has an opportunity to be this 12 months’s Mac Jones; underrated popping out of faculty, however possibly essentially the most able to carry out on the massive stage.  

4.) Finest participant accessible or drafting for want: how ought to Detroit GM Brad Holmes method the 2022 NFL Draft? 

Chirco: With a wide range of wants, particularly on the defensive aspect of the ball, I believe Holmes’ draft technique ought to stay greatest participant accessible. And, if such is the case, I believe the group’s choice at No. 2 general is one among three gamers: Michigan EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux or Georgia defensive finish Travon Walker.

Strozynski: You want a lot all over the place. So, it is a no-brainer for me: greatest participant accessible.

5.) Solely the Lions would lose a draft choose, after the league already had introduced the draft order. What did you assume if you first heard that the Lions now not have a seventh-round choose this 12 months? 

Chirco: My first thought was that the Lions’ luck stays downright terrible. Now, I do know it is only a seventh-rounder that the group misplaced out on. So, within the grand scheme of issues, it probably will not be that consequential.

Nonetheless, it nonetheless looks like this screw-up by the league would not have occurred to another NFL franchise, possibly outdoors of the equally woeful Cleveland Browns.

Strozynski: Shocked and bummed on the identical time. However, how applicable for this group to provide one thing away, then assume it acquired it again, solely to seek out out it by no means had the choose. Makes you giggle and say solely the Lions. 

6.) Out of your recollection, who was the Lions’ worst ever draft choose?

Chirco: I do know there have in all probability been far worse gamers chosen. However, in my lifetime, I will say it has been huge receiver Mike Williams, who was chosen out of USC with the No. 10 general choose within the 2005 NFL Draft. Williams went on to play simply two seasons in Detroit, and he amassed simply two touchdowns and 449 yards in 22 video games in Honolulu Blue.

To make issues worse, future All-Professional linebackers DeMarcus Ware (No. 11; Cowboys), Shawne Merriman (No. 12; Chargers) and Thomas Davis (No. 14; Panthers) all have been chosen after Williams.

Strozynski: Jeff Okudah. Now possibly there’s some recency bias to it, however hear me out. This workforce was at a crossroads with a quarterback who had two years left on his deal. You had come off one of many worst seasons in latest historical past, you had a coach and a basic supervisor on the recent seat and it was a draft class with franchise choices on the quarterback place (Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa).

As a substitute, this group drafted a sluggish cornerback that has been injured his first two seasons. And, heading into this 12 months, he’s recovering from an Achilles’ harm, which is able to do wonders for that pace. A bust and a wasted choose at No. 3 general.