Fixing the front 7 Mock

[Sllim Pickens]

Lions trade down with the Washington Redskins who move up for Trey Lance. 

Pick 7 (1,500) for 19 (875), 51 (390), 114 (66) and 2022 2nd (265) – 1500 to 1596 which is a small premium for QB.  Still leaves the WFT two thirds, 5^th and 2 7ths this year to add to their roster so they get their QB and don’t deplete their draft or future. 

Lions trade into the 6^th with a future pick.

 

Cuts:

Desmond Trufant (6,187,500 savings)

Jesse James (2,142,000 savings)

Nick Williams (4,650,000 savings)

Danny Shelton (4,000,000 savings)

Christian Jones (2,557,278 savings)

 

Free Agent Signings:

Corey Davis – Not the elite WR1 many want but much cheaper than KG and adds a weapon for Goff.

Demarcus Robinson – See above for Davis.  KC can’t keep them all and he has had a solid career as a #3/4 option there.  He would come to Detroit as a #2 and get more targets similar to when Marvin left Cinci. 

Solomon Thomas – Under achieving DE that can add depth and versatility to our line. 

Jarrad Davis – DC seems to like Davis and he does have the potential to be good in a decent system with decent players in front of him.  I think he signs relatively cheap on a shorter deal and allows us to not need to fill as many holes in year 1.  If he doesn’t work out we can cut ties after this year. 

Sheldon Rankins – We need interior D line help.  I would love to sign Leonard Williams but so would the rest f the league.  We don’t have the money or the allure to get him so we look for cheaper options and one that is familiar with DC and Glenn.

 

Draft: I used TDN’s rankings for reference as they tend to align most with my rankings.

 

Round 1 pick 19 – Azeez Ojulari, OLB/Edge Georgia – He is a pass rush specialist with speed and ability to get pressure on the QB.  He can play in multiple systems and projects best as a 4-3 off the ball OLB. 

Round 2 pick 41 – Jason Oweh, DE Penn St. – I think he may go higher than this but another pass rusher to add to the mix.  He has elite speed, solid size with a frame to add strength.  He may take some time as he is raw but given our rebuild timeframe, that is ok. 

 

Round 2 pick 51 - Daviyon Nixon – DT Iowa – B10 defensive player of the year.  Has solid pass rush abilities from the interior and plays the run well.

Round 3 pick 72 – Elijah Moore, WR Ole Miss – Similar profile to Eskridge with more production.  Eskridge may have played himself higher but this is a nice consolation prize to fill in the slot.

Round 3 pick 88 – Richie Grant, S UCF – Versatile defender that can play in multiple roles including that nickel DB that can cover TEs, HBs, and slot WRs. 

Round 4 pick 102 – Alim McNeill, DT NC State – Another solid DT with high upside as a pass rusher.  He was a LB/RB in high school that grew into a DT and that athleticism will help him fit into various defenses at the next level.

Round 4 pick 114 – James Hudson, OT Cincinnati – A raw OT but has a lot of upside.  He too will take some time to develop but that’s the case with mid rounders.   But has the athleticism and ability to be a solid RT in the league.

Round 5 pick 136 – Kelvin Joseph, CB Kentucky – Great length and speed for a CB.  Just adding depth to a position that lacks production but has some talent.

Round 6 pick 190 – Luke Farrell, TE Ohio St – Has great size and hands for a TE.  Will come in and be depth with us moving on from James.

 

Offense:

QB - Jarred Goff, Chase Daniel

RB - Deandre Swift, Adrian Peterson, Kerryon Johnson

WR - Corey Davis, Quintez Cephus

WR - Demarcus Robinson, Elijah Moore, Geronimo Allison

TE – TJ Hockenson, Luke Ferrell, Hunter Bryant

LT – Taylor Decker, James Hudson

LG – Jonah Jackson, Oday Aboushi

C - Frank Ragnow, Joe Dahl

RG – Hala Vaitai, Joe Dahl

RT – Tyrell Crosby, James Hudson

 

Defense:

DE – Trey Flowers, Da’Shawn Hand

DT – Sheldon Rankins, John Penisini

DT – Daviyon Nixon, Alim McNeill, Solomon Thomas

DE – Jason Oweh, Solomon Thomas, Austin Bryant

SLB – Azeez Ojulari, Kalen Reeves-Maybin

MLB – Jarrad Davis, Jahlani Tavai

WLB – Jamie Collins, Reggie Ragland

CB – Jeff Okudah, Kelvin Joseph

CB – Amani Oruwariye, Darryl Roberts/FA/UDFA

Slot CB – Justin Coleman

FS – Tracy Walker, Will Harris

SS – Richie Grant, Miles Kilebrew

 

Conclusion:  This adds significant pass rush ability to the defense which will greatly benefit our young CBs.  Azeez can move to DE on passing downs and have the depth to keep our D line fresh and talented.  We still have a weakness at RT and RG but Vaitai is locked in contract wise and Crosby can battle with Hudson for the starting spot.  WR isn't overly strong but has upside and is good enough to score points.  A lot of these guys are high upside raw prospects but given the fact we have multiple firsts the next couple of years and in this scenario another 2nd next , we can afford to let them develop and finish filling in those holes next year with a solid young foundation on D.  

[Karnage84]

This is somewhat of a different take than I would go but there's a lot to like. 

Good trade. I'd rather let another team overpay to take a chance on a QB now that we do have Goff. Not to say he's the answer but I'd rather us figure out what he has left while building out the other parts of the roster. 

I do think they'll bring back Davis. He could wind up being a better fit with this new staff/scheme. The additions to the DL are really good. I do feel like guys like McNeill and Grant will go higher than you have them but I get the whole thing with using a third party site and their rankings. There are always guys you think will go higher/lower than they do. 

A question for you - does the signing of Davis cross out the loss of KG? Would we lose that 3rd round comp with that signing?

[Sllim Pickens]

28 minutes ago, Karnage84 said:

This is somewhat of a different take than I would go but there's a lot to like. 

Good trade. I'd rather let another team overpay to take a chance on a QB now that we do have Goff. Not to say he's the answer but I'd rather us figure out what he has left while building out the other parts of the roster. 

I do think they'll bring back Davis. He could wind up being a better fit with this new staff/scheme. The additions to the DL are really good. I do feel like guys like McNeill and Grant will go higher than you have them but I get the whole thing with using a third party site and their rankings. There are always guys you think will go higher/lower than they do. 

A question for you - does the signing of Davis cross out the loss of KG? Would we lose that 3rd round comp with that signing?

No, the signing of Davis would have no impact on comp picks because he is one of our own. The signing of Rankins, Davis, and Robinson might as it is net of money spent on FAs vs how much our FAs sign for elsewhere.  If KG and Okwara sign for total of 30 Mil a year and we sign FAs for a total of 20 Mil, we would get a comp pick or two. 

[Karnage84]

4 minutes ago, Sllim Pickens said:

No, the signing of Davis would have no impact on comp picks because he is one of our own. The signing of Rankins, Davis, and Robinson might as it is net of money spent on FAs vs how much our FAs sign for elsewhere.  If KG and Okwara sign for total of 30 Mil a year and we sign FAs for a total of 20 Mil, we would get a comp pick or two. 

Sorry, I mean Corey Davis, not Jarrad but you did address the question in part two. 

[jrry32]

This is a very interesting take. I agree the WFT trade makes sense. I love the idea of signing Corey Davis. He feels like a guy who is capable of becoming more than what he was in Tennessee. Elijah Moore is a nice talent. He reminds me of Jamison Crowder. He's quick, runs good routes, and is very surehanded. The one critique I have is that I don't agree on Ojulari. I think he's a 3-4 OLB. Putting him at 4-3 Sam wouldn't be using him to his potential, and I think he'd end up a disappointment as a first round pick. He has the ability to be an impactful pass rusher, but I'm not sure if he'll fit Glenn's scheme. Of course, it's possible Glenn runs a scheme that is different from the one in New Orleans.

[Superduperman]

Rebuilding the front seven is of course a must, and if the Lions went this heavy on it, I wouldn't argue. In fact, as the years have gone by here I've almost always wanted the Lions to do something like this.

Of course I like it because you cut both Shelton and Nick Williams, the two players I want out of here the most. The only move I'm not in favor of is signing Solomon Thomas, I think that's a waste and I'm sure there will be better options.

[NFL_Fan]

im all in...i like it. ugly for maybe QB...but that pass rush...I have Oweh and Azeez in Madden...Also Toney my favorite WR but hell be a 1st rounder now easily. The class next year for LB and RB looks sickkkkkkk. my team sucked tho in madden and they went like 4-12 and with 4th pick got howell. and now theyre in playoffs. i know its madden and madden sucks but its still fun to think about. also the team was a lions rebuild. we neeed a new DT. Nix looks like a good fit. shelton and williams were rough to watch. i like tavai as a backup. cant wait until Vatai, Collins, flowers contacts are up. I also got Ar’Darius Washington. hes my crush rn . reminds me of bob sanders 

[diehardlionfan]

I wouldn’t be upset if the Lions followed this type of blue print. The one thing I would like to see is the addition of a better WR. 

I obviously don’t know what Holmes is thinking but I would hope they do more to support Goff.

[Sllim Pickens]

11 hours ago, diehardlionfan said:

I wouldn’t be upset if the Lions followed this type of blue print. The one thing I would like to see is the addition of a better WR. 

I obviously don’t know what Holmes is thinking but I would hope they do more to support Goff.

I agree WR is not a top strength, but I don't feel its really a weakness.  Of course a lot depends on Moore working out as a third round pick but I think that is likely he can at least be a solid slot WR.  This is a position where we need a lot of help and given our financial resources, I just don't know if we can manage much better in year 1.  I do think an improved run game/scheme, a better defense, and Hock are the things that will help Goff the most. 

[Millenhater]

The top two picks are a couple of boom or bust guys.  I’d be a little Leary of taking with our top two picks.  I also think a lot of these guys are going a round later than where I ultimately think they will go.  Having said that I like the players: Nixon, Grant, Hudson, McNeil, Joesph; all guys I really like.  72 is a reasonable landing spot for Moore and I think that would be a good pick too.  Overall I wouldn’t be thrilled with our top two picks but I’d be really happy with the other players.

[flyguy1609]

i dont mind it, would rather keep KG then Davis personally

Edited February 12, 2021 by flyguy1609

[Sllim Pickens]

1 hour ago, flyguy1609 said:

i dont mind it, would rather keep KG the Davis personally

I would too, I just dont think it works financially.  Davis will e half or less of what KG gets and I would rather be able to sign Davis, Robinson and Jarrod Davis than just KG.  

[NFL_Fan]

20 minutes ago, Sllim Pickens said:

I would too, I just dont think it works financially.  Davis will e half or less of what KG gets and I would rather be able to sign Davis, Robinson and Jarrod Davis than just KG.  

i agree. love KG but just want him to go get paiddddd. 17 mil+ just isnt smart for us rn. we arent close. so we over use him he gets hurt and now sit in regret. I love him but you have to sometimes walk away when its hard. 

[flyguy1609]

5 hours ago, Sllim Pickens said:

I would too, I just dont think it works financially.  Davis will e half or less of what KG gets and I would rather be able to sign Davis, Robinson and Jarrod Davis than just KG.  

i can see a team(packers) overpay for Davis since Lafleur was with the Titans when he got drafted. 

[NFL_Fan]

3 hours ago, flyguy1609 said:

i can see a team(packers) overpay for Davis since Lafleur was with the Titans when he got drafted. 

on top of his resume of top pick. hasnt lived up to it. plus i want to see him as number one for a bit before bringing him in. I think he struggles without a guy like Henry and AJ taking the main focus.