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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jacob Infante

Detroit Lions 2019 NFL draft primer

Welcome to your source for Detroit Lions 2019 draft information.

VITALS

Head Coach: Matt Patricia

General Manager: Bob Quinn

2018 Record: 6-10

2019 DRAFT PICKS

1st Round | 8th overall

2nd Round | 43rd overall

3rd Round | 88th overall (from PHI)

4th Round | 111th overall

5th Round | 146th overall

6th Round | 184th overall

6th Round | 204th overall (from NE)

7th Round | 224th overall

TEAM NEEDS

Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Tight End

Eric Ebron’s first season outside of the Detroit Lions organization resulted in a career year and a Pro Bowl appearance, while the Lions were stuck with rather pedestrian results from their tight ends. They signed Jesse James in free agency, and though he is a step up as a starter from the likes of Levine Toilolo and Michael Roberts, his production as of late has been fairly average. Detroit could target another tight end in the draft to help boost their group of weapons for Matthew Stafford.

Edge Rusher

Trey Flowers was one of the biggest names to hit the open market this year, and Detroit wasted no time in locking him to up a five-year, $90 million deal to improve their lackluster pass-rushing unit. While adding a disruptive force like Flowers will greatly aid their defense, they still could use another edge rusher to place alongside him. Ezekiel Ansah is still a free agent and is unlikely to return, and though Romeo Okwara had a breakout season with the Lions last year, they could still use another defensive end to help their pass rush complement their improved run defense.

Cornerback

Darius Slay is one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL, but Detroit doesn’t have a reliable outside cornerback to start alongside him. Jalen Tabor has greatly disappointed since he was drafted in 2017, and Rashaan Melvin is solid depth, but likely not much else. The Lions finished in the bottom five in interceptions with only seven on the year, so they need to find someone who can force turnovers and shut down receivers with Slay.

TOP TARGETS

(AP Photo/Jim Lytle)

Greedy Williams | CB| LSU

Montez Sweat | EDGE | Mississippi State

Ed Oliver | DL | Houston

Clelin Ferrell | EDGE | Clemson

T.J. Hockenson | TE | Iowa

Brian Burns | EDGE | Florida State

Byron Murphy | CB | Washington

Irv Smith, Jr. | TE | Alabama

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