5 players Detroit Lions should draft in the first round

5 players Lions should draft in the first round

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: DeVonta Smith #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates his touchdown during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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Micah Parsons, Penn State Nittany Lions. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

4. Micah Parsons

Drafting a linebacker at No. 6 might send some Lions fans into a dark depression, but Parsons’ potential to be an elite playmaker might be tempting for Detriot’s coaching staff.

Parsons isn’t a classic middle linebacker who will be content to stuff the middle of the field against the run. He’s a dynamic athlete who can make plays blitzing the quarterback and dropping into coverage. The former Penn State star is just the sort of new-age linebacker that modern defenses like to build around.

Linebacker is a position of need for the Lions even if it’s not as profound as the wide receiver

quandary. Injecting Parsons into the position group would give the team’s defense a lot more playmaking and versatility right away.

Value says Detroit shouldn’t pass on the chance to add a wide receiver in favor of a linebacker at No. 7, but Dan Campbell isn’t going to run his team in a conventional manner at every turn. The idea of the Lions landing Parsons in Round 1 shouldn’t be laughed off.

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