With free agency mostly in the rearview, the next focus for the Lions is the draft.
Detroit has a chance to seriously upgrade its roster, with four of the first 85 picks, including No. 3 overall. The team's most obvious needs are at cornerback, offensive line, running back and defensive end.
It's not a stretch to say the fate of Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia could hinge on the contributions of Detroit's first four selections. Here's how it might play out, according to a three-round mock draft by CBS Sports.
At No. 3 overall, the Lions take the player many expect them to: Ohio State CB Jeffrey Okudah:
"The team traded Darius Slay and signed Desmond Trufant. Trading out of this pick would be ideal, but it'll be hard to pass on Okudah here if they stay put."
With their second pick, No. 36 overall, the Lions nab an explosive rusher to pair with Kerryon Johnson in Georgia's D'Andre Swift. It's worth noting here that the Lions choose Swift over Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor and Ohio State's J.K. Dobbins:
"The Lions add one of the top backs in the draft, lifting some of the load at the running back position off Kerryon Johnson's shoulders. A 1-2 punch of Swift and Johnson should be tough for opposing defenses."
Lions Should Take Hard Look At Two RB's Early In Draft
With its first pick in the third round, Detroit chooses Utah S Terrell Burgess No. 73 overall:
"The Lions picked up Duron Harmon to help their safety depth, and here they find more talent for the position in Burgess, who would likely play early for Detroit."
And at 85th overall, the top pick they acquired from the Eagles in the Darius Slay trade, the Lions select Missouri defensive tackle Jordan Elliott:
"The Lions keep scooping up talent for the defensive side by getting a good interior player in Elliott."
Indeed, that's three defensive players for the Lions with their first four picks, the kind of split that makes sense. And Swift would give them another playmaker at a position where they need it. The need for another safety and another defensive tackle can be debated after Detroit's moves in free agency, but it seems clear the Lions will prioritize defense early in the draft.
That said, don't rule out the club investing another early pick in the offensive line to account for the departure of guard Graham Glasgow.
