The 2015 NFL Draft is just a few days away, and there’s plenty of reason to be excited about the festivities in Chicago if you’re a Detroit Lions fan. Here’s our breakdown of everything Lions fans need to know heading into draft week.
Detroit targeting best player available in first round, not positions of need
Some NFL general managers subscribe to the notion that you draft based on need and not based on the best pure talent available on the board. However, the Detroit News’ Josh Katzenstein believes the Detroit Lions should take the direct opposite approach when it comes to the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Per Katzenstein, “with the Lions holding the No. 23 pick this year, a spot where any number of players at a variety of positions will make sense, I figured it was time for a reminder. Selecting the best player available is absolutely the best way to approach the NFL draft and not just because (GM Martin) Mayhew says so.”
Katzenstein goes on to argue that, with the inevitablity of injuries during the course of an NFL season, drafting the best talent available makes the most sense because the teams with the most available top-tier talent usually win.
Lions to prioritize "versatile" offensive linemen
While Detroit plans to take the best player available early in the draft, GM Martin Mayhew stressed that the team is targeting offensive linemen in the middle rounds:
“It’s a very strong group of linemen (in the draft), especially at guard and tackle I think. So, a lot of quality, a lot of different guys, guys with some position flexibility, which we like. So, it’s a strong group. I’ve always said that versatility within that group is very important. You’re only going to dress seven guys, so if a guy can play center and guard, a guy can play guard and tackle it certainly gives him a lot more value I think.”
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