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3 Players the Detroit Lions should absolutely avoid picking at No. 7

The 2020 NFL season is in the books and before we know it, the 2021 NFL Draft will be upon us.

Thanks to another horrendous season, our Detroit Lions currently hold the No. 7 overall pick and there has been quite a bit of speculation as to who new GM Brad Holmes will select.

Here are some of the players who I have already seen mocked to the Lions if they do not make a trade.

QB Zach Wilson

QB Justin Fields

QB Trey Lance

WR DeVonta Smith

TE Kyle Pitts

OT Penei Sewell

WR Ja’Marr Chase

WR Jaylen Waddle

LB Micah Parsons

Three players on that list make me extremely nervous and it has nothing to do with whether or not I believe they will be solid in the NFL. Instead, it has to do with drafting for value and not just selecting “the best player available” or the “most-talented player available” or “the position needed most.”

When it comes to drafting for value when a team holds the No. 7 overall pick in the NFL Draft, there are multiple positions that should almost automatically be tossed out the window.

One of those positions is wide receiver.

Now, before you bash me in the comments (feel free to do so after you finish reading), just hear me out.

First of all, yes, I understand that the NFL is primarily a passing league and it will continue to be for the foreseeable future. And second, yes, I understand that having a great wide receiver can create mismatches on the field that favor the offense.

That being said, I just cannot put a ton of value into a skill player who is guaranteed to touch the ball much less than 10 times per game.

Here are a couple of fun facts for you to consider.

Folks, I could go on and on and on about how highly drafted wide receivers are not as valuable as many believe but that would be beating a dead horse.

If I was the general manager of the Detroit Lions, there is no way in hell that I would select DeVonta Smith, Ja’Marr Chase, or Jaylen Waddle with the No. 7 overall pick in the 1st Round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Sure, all three could end up being great players but none of the three would be a good value pick and that is what the NFL Draft is all about. VALUE!

Oh, by the way, by the time the Lions are truly ready to contend for a Super Bowl, it would be just about time for Smith, Chase, or Waddle to sign their second contract. That contract, if any of the three turns out to be a great wide receiver, would be mammoth and it would be best to let them walk at that time because wide receivers are overpaid, and overpaying is a no-no for a good GM.

EXCEPTION TO THE RULE ALERT:

Now, I want to be clear about something. If there is a wide receiver like Calvin Johnson, who is an absolute beast and a can’t-miss projected Hall of Famer, then I would have no problem taking him in the top 10. The problem is, those players do not come around too often and neither Smith, Chase, nor Waddle come even close to fitting that bill.

Nation, do you agree with me on this or are you all about the Lions taking the best WR available when they are on the clock?

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Don Drysdale
Don Drysdale
I am a fan of all Detroit sports and LOVE to write about them!

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7 COMMENTS

  1. 1 Million %%%% Dead On! WR is easiest position to fill in league, need a real good set of WR’s but don’t need or you can’t pay a Superstar and still afford to build a roster (sign and trade Golloday). Love what Lions have done but to be relevant and contend must have a very good O line (there is hope there) and an elite QB (take a chance with Lance but I don’t think he will be there at 7) and a great front 7 on D (trade back if possible). Second day of draft is where you build a great team.

    • Trade down, down, down. You are rebuilding from the foundation up (I would only keep Decker, Ragnow, and Hockenson and ditch the entire defense) and you need bodies. We need to know right away, if Holmes can live up to his reputation. It’s all about the picks for the next three years.

  2. The Lions need to trade down to get more picks and draft defensive players. WR, RB and TE are later picks this year or next.

  3. My best on your worst. Great receivers don’t touch the ball enough to suit you. Fine. But DC were forced to account for Calvin Johnson whether he touched the ball or not, and that m9ves defensive players to one side of the field. It also leaves the opposite side of that decense (1) predictible, and (2) vulnerable. Smith is too small and Waddle very good but not great. Chase has the size and speed to intimidate defenses at the next level. Without any veteran receivers, better stock up now for the best receiver you can get. Linebackers or a nose tackle are next.

  4. I fully agree that taking a wr at 7 is ridiculous especially how deep the draft class is at wr. Me personally there is only 2 players i like at 7. Sewell and surtain. Sewell is the best ol in the draft, he will be a stud, and we can always upgrade our ol. Getting surtain to play opposite of okudah would help our defense so much cuz good coverage helps our pass rush. If neither are available then trade down and get best available.

  5. Give it a rest!! Why in the hell would or should Detroit not take Ja’Marr Chase?! Here is my theory, a good receiver can make your offense better and allow other less cable receivers shine. Detroit has picked up some free agent receivers but they are missing a top guy! I would like to have Detroit trade Goff to the New York Jets for the No 2 pick. Then have them draft Zach Wilson! He said n my opinion is much better than Goff and may end up being better than Lawrence. If Detroit can do that and still have the No 7 pick then I say let them pick Micah Parsons, but if he is already gone then pick Ja’Marr Chase! Detroit has new GM and Head Coach and they picked up draft picks when they traded Stafford. They can’t wait to fill his QB with a guy the other team just didn’t want anymore (yeah that’s you Goff)!! Detroit has been there before and it has never worked. The GM and Head Coach need to trade those from first round picks in 2022 & 2023 to get higher picks this year and fill those defense holes NOW!!

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