Players From Alabama The Detroit Lions Should Consider Drafting In 2019.
Raekwon Davis
Davis is a versatile monster of a human being who would fit in perfectly on the Detroit Lions defensive line. Standing at 6’7″ and weighing around 315 pounds, Davis can line up at defensive tackle or end.
In his sophomore year, he exploded onto the scene with a 69 tackle (10 for a loss), eight and a half sack season. In the college football playoff, he made three tackles for loss, two sacks, and an interception in just two games.
Davis is looking like a player who will be taken in the top half of the first round of next years draft. If Detroit gets the opportunity to take him, they should run to the podium on draft night.
Mack Wilson
Detroit and Mack Wilson could potentially be a perfect match for each other. The Lions biggest weakness is pass coverage from their linebackers, while Wilson specializes in pass coverage.
Last season, playing from the middle linebacker position, Wilson intercepted four passes and defended two more. However, he only made 40 tackles and two and a half tackles for loss despite playing 11 games.
Wilson is one of the top-rated linebackers in the upcoming draft, and Detroit would be very lucky to have him if he’s still on the board in the late first or second round of the draft.
Anfernee Jennings
Anfernee Jennings is a big thumper of a linebacker at 6’3″ and 260 pounds. He may not offer a lot in terms of pass coverage, but he could potentially be a day two draft pick to add physicality and versatility to the Lions defensive front.
Jennings theoretically has the size and athleticism to play outside linebacker or defensive end in head coach Matt Patricia‘s defense, similar to the role linebacker Devon Kennard plays now. Jennings’s biggest year came last season when he made 41 tackles (6 for loss), 1 sack, and 2 passes defended.
Getting a player like Jennings in the second or third round wouldn’t upgrade the Lions biggest defensive weaknesses (pass rush and pass coverage from linebackers), but it would make running backs and receivers going over the middle a lot more scared of the Lions defensive front.
Damien Harris
Damien Harris is one of my personal favorite running back prospects in a while. The 5’11” 215 pound back has an unbelievably high motor and immaculate ability to run through defenses. Combined with his top end speed, he is a true home run threat on every play.
His stats speak for themselves. Over the last two seasons, he’s run the ball 281 times for 2037 yards (7.2 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns. His role in the passing game leaves a lot to be desired, but, as a pure runner, Harris is special.
One could argue that taking another running back next year would be ridiculous, with the Lions taking Kerryon Johnson in the second round this year. However, running backs LeGarrette Blount and Ameer Abdullah are set to be free agents this coming offseason, and the Lions would save roughly $3.5 million by cutting Theo Riddick. If Johnson is the only back on the Lions roster, giving him some help by picking Harris in the middle of the draft could be a very smart move.
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