The last few weeks have been about the broad receivers and which one best suits the Detroit Lions. In the second round last week, Jaylen Waddle of Alabama was more than DeVonta Smith (Alabama) and La’Marr Chase (LSU) connected to Detroit, while players were left in other positions in the distance.
This week, with just under three weeks to the draft day – and just as things started to look like Waddle the forerunner – the draft community made its best Lee Corso impression, saying: Not so fast!
Let’s take a look at the cartoons of the past week, see how things have changed and what new names have been surprisingly added.
Currently being mocked by Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com), Ryan Wilson (CBS Sport)
Jeremiah: ‘It could be a brand, and some teams might pick Detroit in the market for a quarter of an hour, but I would not rule out the Lions staying put and taking a signal caller themselves. Fields has more upside than Jared Goff. ”
Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota
Currently being mocked by Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today)
Middlehurst-Schwartz: ‘Hard to say if first-year GM Brad Holmes is strong in the quarterback market. However, if a signalman of Lance’s caliber falls into the lap of the Lions, he could be hard pressed to continue with Jared Goff. Landing in Detroit would apparently give Lance the chance to sit and learn for a year while solving ball placement and timing problems, placing him as an impressive double threat option when he wants to take the reins. ”
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, GVE
Currently ridiculed by Chris Trapasso (CBS Sport), Colin Cowherd (FOX Sports), Ben Rolfe (Pro Soccer Network), Harley Schultz (The Huddle)
Trapasso: “The Lions will be happy with any receiver at this point, but reaching the best consensus in the class is a fantastic development for the new GM Brad Holmes.”
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
It is currently being mocked by Josh Edwards (CBS Sports) in a trade with the Broncos for pick no. 9 (no additional details on compensation), Brad SpielBerger (PFF) in a trade with the Patriots for pick no. 15, no. 46, no. 139 and 2022 2nd round pick, and Luke Easterling (pull wire) in a trade with the Chargers for pick no. 16 (no additional details).
Easterling: ‘It’s a big win for the Lions, who are six places down and still end up with a player they could easily pick on their original lock. Yes, they added some new faces to complement the receivers they lost in the free agency, but none of them have the kind of explosiveness and great playing ability that Waddle brings to the table. He’s a big bargain here. ”
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Currently being mocked by Ben Linsey (PFF), Jarad Evans (PFF), Tommy Garrett (Pro Soccer Network), Doug Hyde (Drafttek), Tankathon staff, Brentley Weissman (The Draft Network): In a trade with the Patriots for pick no. 15 (no additional details), and Peter Schrager (NFL.com) in a deal with the Cardinals for pick no. 16 (no additional details).
Schrager: ‘If Detroit trades from number 7, create some extra picks and still get Smith, I would consider it a day 1 home ride. The Alabama product features elite ball skills, is won in major venues and is a gamer in every sense of the word. The Lions say goodbye to their two suburbs in free agency, and Golden Tate a year before that. Insert the Heisman winner. ”
Kyle Pitts, Big Skill, Florida
Currently being mocked by Ian Cummings (Pro Soccer Network)
Cummings: ‘No, he’s not Calvin Johnson. We will get rid of it now. However, if you were to cover the entire database of draft prospects since Johnson entered the league, Kyle Pitts would be one of the best comparisons. There will never be a Johnson one-on-one again, but Pitts possesses an alluring skill in his own right. One that the Lions can quickly benefit from. Pitts’ positional designation is at the end. Above all, he has the explosiveness, agility and smooth feet to win everywhere. Pitts also has the predominant length and body control to make plays in the field. The Lions need to add another pure receiver or two, but as a fitter you will have a hard time finding someone more versatile and dynamic than Pitts. ‘
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Brian Johannes is currently being mocked (The Huddle Report)
Johannes: “Dan Campbell, the new head coach, said he wants a physical team. And with the top offensive linebacker available here, the Lions can pass their new left-handed suit. Adding more protection to Jared Goff at this point should be a must and allow the Lions to move away from Taylor Decker who just hasn’t complied with his previous bill over the past few years. ”
Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
It is currently being mocked by Tom Fornelli (CBS Sports) after a deal with Washington for the number 19 (no additional details on compensation).
Fornelli: ‘I have not seen Eichenberg in much mockery yet this spring, but I think he is more likely to be caught so early than many other tackles I see regularly. He’s been ready to start in the NFL from day one, and I have no questions about his ability to play on the left. That does not mean I am a prospect of the elite, but here is a high floor. ‘
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
It is currently being mocked by Hayden Winks (NBC Sports) after a trade with the Patriots for number 15 (no additional details on compensation).
Hints: ‘The Lions were last dead in passing the EPA in 2020, while playing mostly male coverage, something new that DC Glenn would likely bring from New Orleans. The first player in 2020, Jeff Okudah and Horn, excelled in college coverage at university and Horn displayed only 97th percentile adjusted SPARQ athletics on his pro day. He’s in the CB1 conversation with Surtain and Farley. ”