Before I get into what ESPN NFL Draft guru Todd McShay is hearing about what the Detroit Lions are planning to do with the No. 7 overall pick, I want to be VERY clear about something.
Please understand that everything you hear leading up to the draft is 99% smoke and 1% fire and what McShay claims to be hearing is likely part of the former. At least I pray it is!
In his latest piece for ESPN, McShay says the Lions are looking for a pass-catcher at No. 7 and that they prefer TE Kyle Pitts and WR Ja’Marr Chase over the guys from Alabama (Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith).
From ESPN:
Like the Dolphins, the Lions are looking pass-catcher here; and like the Dolphins, they seem to prefer Kyle Pitts, Ja’Marr Chase and then the Alabama duo. Detroit is likely to have at most two of those players to pick between here to jump-start its now-barren pass-catcher group.
The Lions did just use a top-10 pick on tight end T.J. Hockenson in 2019, so another tight end being in the mix might be confusing; but remember that Pitts can be flexed all over the formation and is far from a traditional tight end. Still, it’s more likely that this pick comes down to the three wideouts, based on how the board is shaping up.
In case you are like me and don’t want the Lions taking a pass-catcher at No. 7, it may make you feel better that Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, who is more in the know than McShay, says word on the street is the Lions WILL NOT take a wide receiver at No. 7.
Nation, would you be happy with the Lions taking a pass-catcher at No. 7?
I don’t know why drafting a TE or WR is a mistake. Remember when LIONS pick Calvin Johnson and not Peterson, nobody regrets it now, he’s a HOF. Pitts and Chase I think are both talented and above their class, they may not be there at pick #7.