The latest 2021 NFL Draft projections from Draft Wire have a distinct Bob Quinn flavor to the Detroit Lions in the first round. As Quinn has often done as the Lions GM, the player here is a good one but not necessarily at the most pressing of positional needs.
Luke Easterling from our brother site projects Alabama off-ball LB Dylan Moses to the Lions with the No. 9 overall pick. The draft order is based on current Super Bowl odds.
It’s an interesting projection. The Lions will need to replace former first-round pick Jarrad Davis, and veteran Christian Jones will be 30 and entering the final season of his contract. Detroit does have Jamie Collins locked up for years and promising young Jahlani Tavai, however.
The two players projected directly after Detroit picks seem to fill the Lions’ more pressing needs. Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle would make a lot of sense for an offense that projects to lose both Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola — and perhaps pending free agent Kenny Golladay too — from the WR corps. Florida State big man Marvin Wilson, a very active and talented defensive tackle, follows Waddle in the mock.
