NFC North: National 2015 NFL Draft Grades
By Daniel
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
3. Detroit Lions
By most accounts, the Detroit Lions had a better 2015 NFL Draft than the Green Bay Packers, but not quite as solid of a draft as the division’s other two teams. Although this looks like the most intelligent draft in Detroit in quite some time. I was impressed with what the Lions accomplished over the weekend.
This draft is, perhaps, a sign of things to come in the Motor City. Under head coach Jim Caldwell the Lions didn’t take a flashy, but risky, wide receiver in the first round. No, instead they chose the less sexy, but smarter route of securing their offensive line by selecting guard Laken Tomlinson in the first round. They also potentially found a steal of a running back in Ameer Abdullah in the second round. He isn’t the biggest or fastest runner, but he has more heart than can be measured.
In the third round they added depth and talent at cornerback with Alex Carter. Did I mention how smart this draft was by the Lions’ management? Damn, not used to saying that. Below is how the rest of the nation graded the Lions’ draft.
ESPN (Mel Kiper): B
Sports Illustrated: A-
Bleacher Report: B+
CBS Sports: B-
NFL.com: B
SB Nation: B
NFL Spin Zone (Joe Soriano): C
The Lions received just one “C” and that was from our own Co-Editor of NFL Spin Zone. Although only Sports Illustrated elevated this draft class to the “A” level (OK, A- technically). Fans all around Detroit are excited for this draft class and they should be, the culture seems to be changing in southeast Michigan.
Next: Second Best 2015 Draft in the Division