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NFL Draft 2017: Detroit Lions first-round grade

By Brad Weiss

Oct 15, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) against the Missouri Tigers during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) against the Missouri Tigers during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Lions earned a Wild Card spot in 2016, and for their efforts, they picked at No. 21 in the first round on Thursday night.

During the 2016 NFL season, it looked like the Detroit Lions were going to run away with the NFC North title. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was playing some of the best ball of his career, and the defense looked much better than advertised. Then the Green Bay Packers got hot, ran off six straight wins, and beat the Lions in Week 17 to take the title away from them.

Still, that Lions team exceeded expectations, finishing the year as one of the two Wild Card teams in the NFC. In the playoffs, Detroit was beaten by the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card Round, ending a season that should serve as a building block for the franchise. They have some good talent up and down this roster, and on Thursday night, they added another piece to the puzzle.

Coming into the draft, there was needs on defense that needed to be addressed. The Lions did not do a good job of getting after the passer last season, and it showed during their two losses to end the season. Bringing in a running back was also a priority, as there has been no stability from that position in recent years. The team selected Jarrad Davis out of the University of Florida, and he should certainly help fill a void next season.

The Lions have a ton of talent on offense, and the addition of Davis to the linebacker corps definitely makes them better there. With Reuben Foster still on the board, the pick of Davis was likely a response to his diluted urine sample, but Davis is a great player in his own right. He should start right away, and the Lions should be a better defensive team because of him.

Next: Detroit Lions: List of 2017 NFL Draft picks

The plan in Detroit is to take the next step in 2017, as they would like to actually win a playoff game. Matthew Stafford is still one of the better quarterbacks in the NFC, but he cannot do it all by himself. This team had a lot to do this offseason, and as they head into the preseason, they look to be in better shape then they were prior to the 2016 campaign.

Grade: B

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