With no NFL Combine in 2021, the end of February has become a dead news period for the league. And with a free agency still a few weeks away, many writers have turned their attention to ridiculous concepts – including six of the Lions’ beat writers.
There is no need to think of shocking concepts in general, but it can be used as a way for fans to get acquainted with some of the top players in this year’s concept class.
As we head to the concept at the end of April, we’ll use the ridiculous articles from last week’s ridiculous concepts, discuss players, and identify patterns in how players connect with the Detroit Lions.
So far, a few patterns have emerged this season. After the Lions season ended and the gap of their wide receiver depth map came to light, most shocking concepts matched the Lions with one of the top-3 receivers available. When Matthew Stafford requested a trade, almost every ridiculous concept switched to strict signal callers. Now that the dust has settled in the Stafford for Jared Goff trade, forecasters have begun to open their link and play a variety of players for Detroit.
Let’s look at the projections of the past week.
Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota
Currently being mocked by Dave Birkett (Freep), Tyler Olsen (Pro Soccer Network)
Birkett: ‘Zach Wilson is a more polished prospect and will continue with (Trey) Lance. Justin Fields will probably do the same. But when it comes to the ceiling, when it comes to the type of player you set up and 15 years later look back and think how lucky you were, Lance is second in his dreamy potential. “
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Currently spotted by Kyle Meinke (MLive), Ryan Wilson (CBS Sport), Tom Fornelli (CBS Sport), Ian Cummings (Pro Soccer Network), Kyle Yates (Fantasy benefits)
Wilson: ‘It would be a surprise if Detroit allowed Kenny Golladay to run this off-season. However, even if he returns, the team must add others to the position. Ja’Marr Chase is still the best wide receiver in this draft and the Lions have the opportunity to choose him. Jared Goff begins his career in the NFC North with TJ Hockenson, Kenny Golladay, Ja’Marr Chase and D’Andre Swift. ”
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Currently being mocked by Ben Raven (MLive), Dan Kadar (Akron Beacon Journal), Vinnie Iyer (Sports News), Brad Gagnon (Bleacher Report)
Raven: ‘The choice between Alabama teammate DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle was more troubling than expected. Smith enters the concept after being one of the most productive seasons ever for a college receiver. The Heisman winner got 117 passes for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. He incited the state of Ohio on the point of 12 catches for 215 yards and three scores in two quarters in the CFP championship. ”
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Currently being mocked by Nate Davis (USA Today), Luke Easterling (Draft thread), Ryan Wilson (CBS Sport), Doug Hyde (KonsepTek)
Davis: ‘Since the new coach, Dan Campbell, will indeed look beyond 2021 and maybe even 2022 if this team is reinstated, it may make sense to be in’ the best player-available mode ‘, as opposed to’ a successor to Goff. And a fair evaluation of the QB would involve having a No. 1 target on board – Waddle looks better suited for the role than slightly built Crimson Tide teammate DeVonta Smith – and Detroit may urgently need help with Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones unsigned. ‘
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Currently ridiculed by Chris Burke and Nick Baumgardner (The Athletics)
It’s worth noting that Burke and Baumgardner used a ridiculous pulling machine in this exercise and conceded that Sewell would fall as number 7, but that would be surprising …
Baumgardner: ‘Sewell feels like a potential generational offensive line that could possibly wear a lot of hats. Knowing that Campbell and Anthony Lynn have the desire to get the running game going makes sense. And to be honest, it feels like a steal with how talented he is. ‘
Azeez Ojulari, JACK, Georgia
Currently ridiculed by Chris Trapasso (CBS Sport)
Trapasso: ‘This is the highest Ojulari is likely to see. But I really believe he’s the super explosive, flexible edge grid that usually flies up during the preparation process of planks. ”
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Currently being mocked by Mike O’Hara (DetroitLions.com), Mel Kiper (ESPN), Charlie Casserly (NFL.com), Brian Johannes (The Huddle Report), Anthony Treash (Pro soccer focus), Ben Rolfe (Pro Soccer Network)
O’Hara: “Linebacker was the Lions’ worst position in 2020, and Parsons is a top 10 prospect with dynamic ability.”
It’s noteworthy that Parsons is largely considered the best defensive player in this draft class, and that’s why O’Hara, Casserly, Treash and Rolfe made the Lions grab at number 7. But not everyone is sold on him, like Kiper testify. and John traded the Lions to 12 and 20 respectively because he could still choose him.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Currently being mocked by Doug Farrar (Touchdown wire)
Farrar: ‘You may also notice that I have a’ linebacker ‘- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah from Notre Dame – who made the seventh overall pick. It might seem like an overdraft if you did not watch the Owusu-Koramoah band and just go by the linebacker name. After all, in 2020, NFL teams played more cents as a base. But as was the case with Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons in 2020, Owusu-Koramoah exceeds any positional designation. He is the model of the modern versatile defender. Simmons is eighth overall by the Cardinals, and I think Owusu-Koramoah can be just as coveted. ”