Before the draft I put out my series of Draft Tiers. Tier one was the players I believed would immediately make two positions better. Lions first round pick Jarrad Davis was among those I put in that group. Tier Two were players I believed would immediately start for the Lions from the moment they walked in the door. Rather than a straight copy of my impact tiers, this is a list of the top 35 remaining players for Lions day two selection, most of whom made those lists. Every one of these players will be a starter in the NFL in my opinion.
Lions Day Two Draft Selections: The Best of The Rest
- Chidobe Awuzie
- A toolbox corner capable of playing any coverage well.
- Cordrea Tankersley
- A ball-hawking press corner, but not lost in other coverage types.
- Joe Mixon
- The best RB in the draft, but also, the most controversial pick.
- Obi Melifonwu
- The Draft’s premier workout warrior, but he can also play.
- Dalvin Cook
- Off the field issues are the reason he is still on the board.
- Forrest Lamp
- The best offensive lineman in this draft, immediately a great guard.
- Buddah Baker
- Hard hitting but slightly undersized safety.
- Alvin Kamara
- Dynamic return ability, and explosive one cut runner.
- Zay Jones
- The best hands in the draft. good speed, decent size.
- Kevin King
- Big and athletic corner used to being the guy across the field from a great CB.
- Dan Feeney
- A high end interior lineman that would finish off the Lions overhaul.
- Akhelo Witherspon
- This corner has ideal height, and athleticism. He gets his hands on balls.
- Carl Lawson
- The best pass rusher left in the draft, better than a couple that were taken already.
- Tarell Basham
- The most promising pass rusher in the draft, May become better than some who have already been taken.
- Amara Darboh
- Excellent hands, big bodied, and good speed are why a team might want him.
- Malik McDowell
- Inconsistent effort and bad interviews, but a very talented lineman.
- Fabian Moreau
- He was a very good corner but the injuries are concerning
- Josh Jones
- Aggressive play making safety. Freakishly good athlete.
- Caleb Brantley
- Interior pass rusher that gets the job done vs the run too.
- Tyus Bowser
- Flamethrower off the edge, but also able to handle coverage a bit.
- Jordan Willis
- The left defensive end type the Lions need across from Ziggy Ansah
- Marcus Maye
- Field general type safety that kept Florida’s talented group organized.
- Cooper Kupp
- He’s a smart receiver who understands his limitations and works within them to get the best results.
- Derek Rivers
- Raw small-school pass rusher that has the traits to become a game-changer.
- Adam Shaheen
- Raw small-school tight end that has the traits to become a game-changer
- Tyler Elflein
- Polished interior offensive lineman. Snaps it directly to the QB without a glance, every time. Like clockwork.
- Chris Wormley
- Big and athletic Michigan lineman. May be able to do more than asked in college
- Justin Evans
- Athletic safety prospect. More of a hitter than a form tackler.
- Montravious Adams
- Thick three-technique with an explosive first step off the ball.
- Dalvin Tomlinson
- He’s a very similar player to A’Shawn Robinson, but a bit more burst.
- Zach Cunningham
- Slick coverage linebacker with insane hype he wouldn’t match, but a great value in round three.
- Curtis Samuel
- Able to fill in as a RB, but likely going to make his living downfield and returning kicks.
- Rasul Douglas
- A big-bodied corner who may need to transition to safety.
- Alex Anzalone
- Injuries are the thing that have held Anzalone back from being among the elite linebackers of this class.
- Nathan Peterman
- If you’re looking for a day two quarterback, this is the best one. I don’t think the Lions are, but if they were…
Those are my top 35 players who remain on the board. I will be disappointed if the Lions day two choices aren’t on this list.
