For a team in need of more weapons in the air, the Lions are sitting pretty with the seventh overall pick in the draft.
Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith comprise the best trio of wide receiver prospects in recent memory, and that’s before mentioning one of the best tight end prospects ever in Kyle Pitts.
With three QB’s set to be drafted in the first three picks, there’s sure to be an elite pass-catcher on the table for the Lions at No. 7. Assuming that’s where the Lions pick.
“I think they could sit there and absolutely get the best wide receiver in the draft in Ja’Marr Chase,” NFL Draft analyst Tony Pauline of the Pro Football Network told the Stoney & Jansen Show. “They’ve completely revamped their receiver position in the offseason and they still need a lot of help. I think Ja’Marr Chase, there’s a very good chance he could drop into their laps. I think that would be a spectacular pick for them.”
Pauline also likes the idea of the Lions taking Oregon OT Penei Sewell, if he “happens to fall in their laps.” Of course, it’s just as likely that Sewell goes No. 5 to the Bengals and Chase goes No. 6 to the Dolphins.
“If both Sewell and Chase are off the board, then you gotta look at and consider DeVonta Smith,” Pauline said. “But I think overall the Lions are in a real good spot. They can wait for the draft to come to them and they’re going to get a very good player.”
Or, as GM Brad Holmes seems to prefer, they can trade down, collect more picks – and still get a very good player. But if Chase is available at No. 7, the Lions might not be able to pass on his athletic ability. Here’s what he did as a sophomore at LSU (prior to opting out of the 2020 season): 84 catches, 1,780 yards (21.2 YPC), 20 touchdowns. He’s a physical playmaker who’s drawn comparisons to Amari Cooper and Dez Bryant.
“A faster and more elusive version of Anquan Boldin,” says CBS Sports’ NFL analyst Chris Towers.
Then again, it’s a deep draft at wide receiver. The Lions could wait until the second or third round and still get a year-one contributor and a potential star. And if they do trade down from No. 7, they might be more inclined to draft one of the defensive players hovering just outside the projected top 10. They’ve been ‘connected to’ Penn State LB Micah Parsons.
But how far down is Holmes willing to go?
“Micah Parsons is an interesting prospect,” said Pauline. “A guy that’s got some character, off-the-field concerns. A guy that when you watch him on film, the instincts run hot and cold. But physically, he’s one of the best overall athletic packages in this year’s draft. He could go 9 to Denver, he could go 15 to the Patriots or anywhere in between. So if you want him, I don’t think you’re going to be able to trade down all that far because somebody could swipe him.”
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