Detroit Lions in a pickle with eighth pick in 2019 NFL Draft

The Detroit Lions were one of the “best” last place teams last season, but that doesn’t make their path to the playoffs any easier. The defense was horrible and the offense unpredictable. What do the Lions do with their top-10 pick?

A last place finish for the Detroit Lions in 2018 doesn’t have them in as bad a spot as it would seem. They tied for the “best” last-place finish in the NFL and had the best fourth-place point differential by leaps and bounds. We now enter year two for new head coach Matt Patricia. Things should trend up.

But Patricia’s bread and butter — defense — was the black hole for Detroit. The Lions ranked 27th in the league in defensive Football Outsiders’ DVOA and were 31st against the pass. In a passing league, the only squad worse was Oakland, who seemed to be tanking for 2019 draft picks. The Lions have a top-10 pick of their own to work with, but many holes remain on the defensive side of the ball. Offense also needs more talent, so where do the Detroit Lions turn? They are in a pickle with the eighth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, debate the Detroit Lions in today’s NFL Sports Debate.

Todd Salem:

Detroit Lions star pass rusher Ziggy Ansah is still a free agent this offseason because teams are wary of his repaired shoulder. Detroit moved on, though, with the signing of Trey Flowers. Considering Ansah’s injury issues, Flowers could be a step up. Now, a full season of Damon Harrison, another year of Romeo Okwara, and improvements from 2017 picks Jarrad Davis and Jalen Tabor could see the Lions really make waves defensively.

Of course, the other side is also true. What if Okwara tails off? Harrison doesn’t help in the pass rush. What if Davis has reached his peak, and Tabor never finds it? Most importantly, what if Patricia isn’t a good or capable head coach?

Offensively, there is more of a blueprint. The pass catchers, including tight end Jesse James and running back Theo Riddick, are a serviceable group. Kerryon Johnson, C.J. Anderson, and the rest of the running back group should acquit themselves well too. With first-round picks anchoring the offensive line and Matt Stafford behind center, there is not a ton of star power here, but it should be an adequate group that looks better than it did a year ago.

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The main problem I see is how to best utilize the eighth overall pick in the 2019 draft. There will surely be an offensive lineman or impact defensive lineman available in that spot. Mock drafts seem split about which direction to turn. I don’t know which would be most useful. Obviously, the team will have an opportunity to address both spots throughout the course of the draft, but if Detroit needs to come away with a day-one starter, it changes the math.

So if the offense can be consistent and the defense steps up, the Lions are ready to compete in the NFC North, right? I’m not sure about their chances of winning the division, but I kind of like this group more than what remains in Green Bay. That at least places them in contention for the playoffs in my mind…unless, of course, Patricia isn’t a good or capable head coach. He may have a little too much of Bill Belichick’s gamesmanship and not enough of his talent.

Dan Salem:

The Detroit Lions are playing with a ticking clock, having only a few more years to excel with Matthew Stafford under center. Perhaps that clock has five years on it, perhaps it has three. Regardless, the Lions cannot surrender another season with a franchise quarterback. Having one is too valuable, so I’d focus on protecting him with their top 10 pick in the draft.

Rumors surrounding the draft have recently included a trade of Stafford, mainly because Detroit could consider rebuilding. But Stafford is a great asset and a proven leader. He takes the pressure off Patricia in terms of the offense, as long as he stays on the field.

I would draft the best player available with the eighth pick in the draft. That likely means offense, since so many of the tip-top players are on defense. But building around Stafford is smart. It improves upon the Lions’ strength, leaving Patricia to do what he supposedly does best, build a winning defense.

Defensive-minded head coaches do not have a great track record of late, except where it matters most. New England keeps winning with one. Detroit’s division rivals, Chicago, are winning with great defense. The Lions will get as far as their defense can carry them this season.

Can the Lions compete for the playoffs? Much of this turnaround falls on Patricia, who needs to spark the Detroit defense. He needs to develop his young defensive players, including those drafted this month. That elevates the Lions closer to Minnesota and Chicago, both teams with great defense. My instincts say we are due for a Belichick protege to truly succeed as a head coach. Detroit needs this more than anything.