2017 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions final grade
How did the Detroit Lions fare in the 2017 NFL Draft? The men from the Motor City took care of business.
The NFL draft has come and gone and now it is time for review. Of course, it will be easier to look back in a few years and really find out how these players fit and transitioned to their new roles. But as a whole, you can understand team philosophies and processes which deserve to be examined upon first glance. With that said, here is the Detroit Lions final grade.
Jarrad Davis
Linebacker, Florida
Davis is a great pick when it comes to looking at the need for a linebacker. Deandre Levy has been a major disappointment and was unable to see the field due to injury ever since he signed an extension. The team has Tahir Whitehead is slightly above starter caliber and signed Paul Worrilow who lost his starting job in Atlanta. Needless to say, the Lions were rail thin at linebacker.
Davis will not get knocked for the need, but Lions fans will forever link the name of Davis to Reuben Foster of the 49ers. No Lion fan expected Foster to be around at pick 21, but he was. And on tape, there is no comparison, Foster is better than Davis. He is more technically sound than Davis, shows better recognition and is better in coverage.
However, Foster comes with his question marks. Foster was kicked out of the combine for arguing with a nurse. He had a diluted drug test that resulted in a failure. On top of that, and arguably the most damning con on Foster is a shoulder injury that may have major questions.
If Foster cannot stay on the field, this is the obvious choice and slam dunk. If Foster turns into an All-Pro, the Lions have egg on their face. Time will tell but at the very least they got the need right.