What is the Strategy for the Lions on Day Three?
Quinn was a bit coy with his answer regarding that. “Once you get in the Fourth, Fifth round there is probably some more variety of how teams look at players, said Quinn “it’s truly best player available because you’re usually there are considerable differences on the board.” With different teams starting to value players differently more and more as the draft transitions in to players that are more scheme specific in terms of their talents and abilities on the football field, you can bet that every team goes home thinking they’ve won the draft. And after thequestions have been answered by the Lions on day three, they will be no different.
What is Left That The Lions Need on Day Three?
The Lions addressed many of their needs in the first two days of the draft, but there are still question marks on the roster, as the majority of the players coming to camp are on one or two year deals, making them meaningless in terms of draft needs this late in the process. The players being taken on day three are not usually in contention for starting roles as rookies, often contributing only on special teams for a season or two, as Tahir Whitehead, Devin Taylor, and countless others have for the Lions. Here are my top ten players available tothe Lions on day three of the draft:
- Andrew Billings out of Baylor has a knee injury that teams are concerned about. He is otherwise a borderline first round talent.
- Jeremy Cash is a hard hitting strong safety out of Duke that I think has just enough coverage ability to contend for the Lions starting job given their question marks at the position.
- Miles Killebrew is a similar player to Jeremy Cash out of Southern Utah, but slightly more limited in coverage. He would be a special teams monster for the Lions, likely while they figured out whether he is a linebacker or safety.
- Sheldon Day out of Notre Dame is another interior lineman that could form the basis of a solid dT crew with A’Shawn Robinson for years. excellent pass rusher from the insode.
- Hassan Ridgeway was one of my Late round gems, and would fit as a solid counter point to Robinson in the coming years.
- Jalen Mills would provide solid Free safety Depth and special teams play. Ratheer than taking a medical redshirt after breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle, he rushed back for LSU, and put some less than perfect tape out there. Could be the steal of the draft.
- Jonathan Williams is the best running back left on the board. at 220lbs, he has the balance and tackle breaking ability to be very good on sundays. Foot Surgery could continue his decent down the draft.
- Connor Cook was specifically mentioned by Bob Quinn as a player that the Lions had “No red flags on as a person or as a player” Could they keep another prospect in state while bolstering their backup quarterback spot?
- Matt Judon is a small school defensive end with incredible pass rushing upside coming from Grand Valley State. if Devin Taylor is moving in to a starting role, Judon could fill the void left in the pass rush rotation.
- Jatavis Brown, the Linebacker out of Akron is a bit undersized right now, but an incredible athlete, and tackler. He would bring a great deal of special teams vaue to the Lions while he bulked up, his best wit is at weak side Linebacker in the Lions scheme. He might be a bit of a reach in the fourth round,but he would be a great addition at any point for the Lions on day three.
Yes I am trolling you a bit with the Toronto Blue Jays hat in the picture. @a5hcrack on twitter, and over on /r/detroitlions. Merry Draftmas everyone, we’re getting a sweet haul so far.
