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Detroit Lions full 2016 NFL Draft picks

By John Buhler

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Taylor Decker (Ohio State) is selected by the Detroit Lions as the number sixteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Taylor Decker (Ohio State) is selected by the Detroit Lions as the number sixteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Lions had 10 picks in the 2016 NFL Draft to improve their football team. Here is what the Lions decided to do with their 10 picks this draft.

The Detroit Lions struggled to find consistency in the first part of the 2015 NFL season. Detroit was an NFC Playoff team in 2014, but their dreadful start in 2015 kept them out of the contention immediately out of the gate. Head coach Jim Caldwell had 10 picks to improve the 2016 Lions roster and here’s who the Lions used their 10 selections on in the 2016 NFL Draft.

  • Round 1 (16): Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
  • Round 2 (46): A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
  • Round 3 (95): Graham Glasgow, C, Michigan
  • Round 4 (111): Miles Killebrew, SS, Southern Utah
  • Round 5 (151): Joe Dahl, G, Washington State
  • Round 5 (169): Antwione Williams, LB, Georgia Southern
  • Round 6 (191): Jake Rudock, QB, Michigan
  • Round 6 (202): Anthony Zettel, DT, Penn State
  • Round 6 (210): Jimmy Landes, LS, Baylor
  • Round 7 (236):

The Lions needed to upgrade their offensive line this NFL Draft, as it was a primary for Detroit’s decline early in 2015. Detroit targeted Ohio State’s Decker at No. 16 as part of an impressive class of first-round offensive tackles. Going with the center Glasgow out of Michigan in the third round and guard Dahl out of Washington State in the fifth clearly echo this sentiment.

It’s interesting how the Lions didn’t go after a wide receiver even though all-time great wideout Calvin Johnson called it a career this offseason. While quarterback Matthew Stafford would have liked to have had a reliable receiving target, it seems that the Lions are steadfast on improving their non-skill positions in this draft.

Detroit got some great players that will be effective glue guys in the NFL, but choosing to not go after a wideout in this draft at all is a bit troublesome. Other than a glaring need that was unfulfilled at wide receiver, the Lions did extract solid talent in most rounds of their 2016 NFL Draft.

For more 2016 NFL Draft coverage, please check out our NFL Draft hub page.

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