The Lions have made quite a lot of questionable personnel choices these days, however drafting Malik Willis at No. 2 total could be a brand new type of catastrophe for Detroit.
The concept that Detroit may very well be on the lookout for a brand new beginning quarterback on this 12 months’s NFL Draft makes whole sense. The concept that the Lions may very well be severely contemplating choosing Malik Willis with the No. 2 total choice doesn’t.
That’s simply what a latest report from PFF claims. Particularly, it cites “buzz” that the previous Liberty signal-caller may go to the Lions with the second choose. If there’s any fact in any respect to that rumor then followers in Detroit ought to already be involved in regards to the capability of latest GM Brad Holmes to deliver the franchise again to respectability.
In equity to Holmes and the Lions’ mind belief, it’s apparent that Jared Goff isn’t the suitable quarterback to get the workforce on observe. At greatest, he’s a stop-gap able to executing the offense at a semi-competent degree whereas Detroit finds and/or develops their quarterback of the long run. At worst, he’s a sub-replacement degree participant on the recreation’s most vital place who will make it unattainable for the Lions’ offense to function at a reliable degree.
The Lions do want a quarterback however they don’t have the luxurious of reaching
Because of this, Detroit’s entrance workplace has each cause to expend severe scouting assets on the signal-callers obtainable on this 12 months’s draft class. It’s even cheap for them to conclude that Willis has extra upside than any of his friends.
The place this line of considering comes off the rails is within the worth judgment that Willis is price something near the No. 2 total choose. Questions on his accuracy and throwing approach forestall Willis from being an elite quarterback prospect. Mix that with the apparent want for him to sit down on the bench for a good portion of his rookie marketing campaign to regulate to life within the NFL and it’s clear that he’s not price such a premium draft asset.
The No. 2 total choose on this draft ought to web a workforce just like the Lions a participant they will slot into their beginning lineup for the subsequent decade at a key place. On this draft, that needs to be an edge rusher or left sort out. The Lions needs to be hoping and praying they will hold edge rusher, Aidan Hutchinson, within the state of Michigan for his skilled profession. At worse, they need to be in an ideal spot to nab a possible celebrity left sort out resembling Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu.
Even when the Lions, in some way, consider Willis is the superior prospect they shouldn’t be considering taking him at No. 2. A commerce down with one of many groups that’s in determined want of a franchise left sort out may web the Lions a number of further draft picks to assist speed up their rebuild. Eschewing the possibility so as to add draft capital by taking Willis at No. 2 could be a large missed alternative for a workforce that can’t afford one other draft mistake.
Lions followers should hope this newest report is only a smokescreen designed to tempt one other workforce to maneuver as much as seize Willis or one other premium prospect at No. 2. If it isn’t, Detroit may very well be headed for one more decade of mediocrity or worse.
