Dream Scenario; Lions rd 2-7
As of right now the Lions have 5 picks left in the draft and only 1 today(friday). As we all know, Brad Holmes is not afraid to deal, and I would not be surprised if they a) add a pick or two, or b) sacrifice a pick or two to move up and take the player they want. I think all of us can't really argue with anyone that they choose due to their track record in drafting the past few years. They simply take players that fit their "mold," and they have shown to be great at judging talent and culture fit.
As far as the Michigan mentality, there are two players that I would love to see in the Honolulu blue. The first of two is Junior Colson, which is not really a need for the Lions, but I just feel his style of play really fits with the culture of the team, and I feel is versatile enough to be used in many schemes on this defense. The second is Mike Sainristil. I think the Lions are going to take another corner in this draft, and why not Mikey? He is small in terms of playing the outside receivers in the NFL, but seems to make up for it with his intelligence. He is one of those players that just seems to be where the ball is.
Now obviously both of these Michigan men will likely only be available with their 61rst pick, so realistically, the Lions could only get one of these two. If I had to choose just one of these, it would be Mikey.
As far as overall players that stand out to me with those still available, I like WR Ja'Lynn Polk, Edge Bralen Trice, WR Johnny Wilson(who is predicted to be moved to TE,) and LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. These players of course will likely only be available with the Lions 61rst pick.
I am not going to claim to know enough to judge who the Lions should pick up in the late rounds, but I would love to hear what some of you feel would be the perfect fit for the culture here in Detroit.
So who would be your dream Michigan man for the Lions to pick in the next two days? And regardless of team needs; What player or two overall do you feel would fit this Lions team, and perhaps make a immediate impact.
April 26th, 2024 at 12:48 PM ^
please Sainristil, please
They're set at CB. They want to keep Brian Branch at nickel. They overhauled the CB room with Carlton Davis, Amik Robertson and Terrion Arnold. They have talent and depth there.
If any, the Lions need a starting safety.
Could have been Rod Moore 🥲
Next year…
An interior offensive lineman, please. Frank Ragnow is playing (great by the way) on one foot but how long can that last? And Zeitler is on a one year deal. Zach Frazier!
Carlton Davis is likely to be a one-year rental, and Amik Robertson is relatively unproven. And even if both those guys play well, there's still a long-term need at CB.
Robertson is more proven than Mike in the NFL.
You can never be set at CB. Most of the league is using 3 receivers on every play and minor injuries (hamstrings, ankles, etc.) are very common given how much running and change of direction is required.
Their CB room empties out in a year - this overhaul was for a year. Arnold only guy guaranteed to be back in a year.
And a lot of Campbell talk of hybriding Branch as a safety this offseason. They wanted to not inundate him last year with 2 positions but he sounds a bit like the Chauncy plan - play both.
Mikey is both team captain material and a pure play maker. One of the current starting safeties has all of 6 games of starting material on film. (a good 6 games but just that) and no depth behind it. One gets hurt you move Branch there and Mikey into slot etc. Probably moot as I don't see him falling even to late 2nd round but you never know.
Bigger picture you gotta keep recycling young guys in as the way they are structured with massive spend on OL, WR1, QB, and soon DL & TE you gotta have "cheap" positions too and it looks like it's got to be the secondary and linebackers with how the team is built. Not going to be able to afford a CB1 on the free agent market.
No, it doesn’t. They bring back Robertson, Branch, and Arnold in 2025.
Tyler Nubin maybe?
He's only an inch shorter and a fraction of a second slower than Darrelle Revis. Reminds me a lot of him.
Sainristill Island.
Why would you want another nickel when you have Branch? I don't understand Lions fans asking for this.
Sainristil has a high IQ. I don't remember who it was, but read one of the Washington players said they were pissed at him during the National Championship because Sainristil was telling him his route before some plays. I am not going to question the Lions if they do take him, but 2 years ago he was a wide receiver. Does it seem that crazy that he could learn to play slot CB, or even start at some point at CB, and give a defense more coverage options? And who wouldn't want a guy on your team like him if this year he is just depth and special teams.
Does it seem that crazy that he could learn to play slot CB
That's literally what a nickel is. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills here. Yes. Yes, it does seem crazy considering that's the position he and Branch already play, lol.
You don't draft a backup in the 2nd round because they have "a high IQ." The Lions already have a nickel, drafting another nickel is really dumb when there is so much talent still on the board. This is pure Michigan fandom wishcasting from people who don't really know the NFL.
April 26th, 2024 at 12:54 PM ^
Zak Zinter no doubt. Dude is perfect for Dan Campbell. Feel like whoever drafts him is getting a bargain with his injury.
April 26th, 2024 at 12:57 PM ^
Agreed. Surprised he’s still on the board.
He had a third round grade before the injury. Not sure why, but that is what I got from the experts.
Name one interior OL that got a grade above the 3rd round? He may exist - I don't know! But I don't think so... The thought being that interior OL can be found almost anywhere. But I do believe that both Zinter and Keegan have grades higher than all other interior OL, except maybe for a couple of centers.
The Duke C that got drafted yesterday?
The guy that the Steelers drafted is projected for interior even though he's listed as a tackle.
Plenty were mocked in 20s across many authors. Most were guys who could be center and guard hybrids.
ZZ was never one of them. Even pre injury he wasn't considered in that echelon when the early mocks were out last fall. But yeah you are going to get a steady 10 year veteran ala Backus type (diff position) I think with Zinter.
I think there are questions about the pass blocking abilities of our OL.
The Lions are not far off from having their OL strength become a possible weakness.
Decker - 30+ and FA after this year
Glasgow - 30+ and 3 years left
Ragnow - 28 and 3 years left
Zeitler - 30+ and FA after this year
Sewell - Locked up for 6 years
We definitely need to get a guard. Zinter would be great if we had the capital to come up to grab him. Keegan would also be a great addition. IIRC he is projected to be a late5th/6th round pick, which means we may be in position for him. Give him a year to learn behind Glasgow and Zeitler and he may end up a great late round pick.
Zinter could be mentored by Zeitler on how to be a guard in the NFL with a name spelled Z... er.
Yep! Glasgow had a great year but you never know when a guy tails off in the 30s. Don't see how they retain Decker with the salary cap unless he is willing to do one of those 3 year deals under mkt which is really 2 years and you know you are being cut at age 32 but it gives you 2 years to hang with your buddies Ragnow and Glasgow. Sewell being paid as the top left tackle in the league but playing right tackle long term wouldn't make sense.
Also Ragnow is a friggin warrior, when you read about what he has been going thru injury wise the past few years but he is a retirement risk really any year with how his body has been wrecked. The guys like the one from Duke and Oregon who have that center / guard flexibility would be great for the Lions - if only they had three first/second round picks :D
Lions fans for first time have to confront what these elite franchies like Steelers Ravens Packers have to deal with - you need to pick and choose who you keep and bloodlet the rest and find cheap replacements on first contract deals for all but 6-8 guys on the roster.
They have Sorsby from last year and Holmes has openly admitted that they need to keep adding to OL. G is going to be filled. Just a matter of when. I wouldn’t be surprised if they took two guards.
Decker, I think, will be back on a team friendly deal. But if not they will find an OT in next year’s draft.
I'm not sure he would've been taken last night even if he was healthy. Definitely possible he would've been but I don't remember hearing him get a lot of first round hype, but that injury he got was pretty gnarly.
I won't even be surprised if he's still on the board come tomorrow morning. Whoever picks him up will get tremendous value in that situation, absolutely. But he had a pretty bad injury late in the season, couldn't really participate in the combine, so that's a lot for him to overcome. But I'm confident he can do it.
He was a consensus All American for a reason.
Lions can afford to let him sit for a year to recover. Really, really hope he is there in the fifth round or they trade yp for him.
100 percent agree on Zinter being a perfect fit for the Lions. Mikey would be great too but it is hard to see the fit there with Branch already playing nickel.
April 26th, 2024 at 12:56 PM ^
They will trade to get a 3rd rounder back.
April 26th, 2024 at 12:59 PM ^
It's so nice to actually care about the draft. All hail Brad Holmes.
Lions don’t need a LB. Lions are filled up CB and nickel. They are done there.I’d love to see Mike in Detroit, but I just don’t know where he fits.
They could select a RB. You need three RBs and Monty did show some proclivity to getting hurt. Blake the Great running behind that OL…😍
They also need a G and WR. Preferably a bigger WR. Zinter would be a terrific fit. Keegan too.
Turner should get a look at kicker. Dude stepped up when it mattered most.
Center/Guard - best available
They have Craig Reynolds as a 3rd RB. RB can be had as an UDFA. Plus they only have a 2 rd pick and then they dont pick until the 5th rd.
Good mention of Turner. Lions can't afford to use a draft pick on a placekicker but it is a position of need.
Realistic Michigan players for the Lions picking where the are currently? Roman Wilson
DeJean, Newton , and Coleman wont be around but would be my first choices.
Also Colson, Jenkins should be gone by then. Sainristil and Corum will be great value picks in round three.
I'm thinking they take another Alabama player edge rusher Chris Braswell.
It could be my Michigan glasses on but I see Amonra St. Brown when I watch Wilson...great speed, good cuts, great option imho.
Roman is a lot faster than ARSB.
Negged for 'Mikey'. Dude spells it Mike. Just pronounces it differently - we went through this in some detail around the OSU game!
Otherwise, nice post! I would love to see Zinter or Keegan because they need another interior OL'man and I can't see anyone better than those two in this draft. But more defense help is what this team needs - another CB or safety would be nice. Mike fits the bill beautifully, here! Another LB as well, and I'd be happy with either Colson or Barrett, actually. I think all three of those guys could make a nice little addition for depth along with pushing for more playing time if they don't start.
My money says to look at defense first, second, and third in this draft. Unless a can't miss offensive player that you need is available, ala Zinter/Keegan...
I can understand that 1VABlue1. I actually call him Mikey, because I got my sister into football for the first time in her life this year, and what a year to become a fan! Her favorite defensive player was Sainristil and she calls him Mikey.
But that's the point. He spells his name "Mike" but it's pronounced as "Mikey" with that spelling.
Spelled Mike and pronounced Mik-e or "Mikey", similar to how Nike is pronounced.
I think Zinter and Barrett are going to be solid pros and draft-day bargains. Barrett may be a 7th rounder or UDFA, and I would love to see him playing in Detroit.
I'd love santrisel but that would be too many nickle/saftey types tbh.
I'd love to get Zinter late 3rd early 4th, I don't want to get him higher than that though. Lions really need a IOL not sure though if Zinter is the best fit though considering a Center is going to be needed next year, someone that can play anywhere inside is ideal.
They literally have two safeties on the roster lol. Campbell literally said "they are not done at safety" a few weeks ago. The veteran guys in the market want to get paid and not be a backup.
Guys there are injuries in the NFL! One of our starters has 6 games of starter experience! Someone like Joseph they won't be able to afford on contract 2, with all the $$ coming down the pike for Hutch, Laporta, (hopefully) McNeil, and Goff. Branch too, and probably Gibbs.
You can never have enough of secondary players! Especially cheap ones on first year contracts.
Lions do not have a 3rd or 4th rd pick.
OK, fine, grab Drake Nugent in the 7th.
WR, Edge, and Guard.
A bigger, jump-ball type WR to compliment Sun God and Jameson Williams. I like Troy Franklin or Ja'lynn Polk.
Edge to play oppo Hutch. Davenport can be good, but is inconsistent and coming off injury. Marshawn Kneeland from Western or Brennan Jackson from Wazzou.
Developmental Guard to replace Zeitler in '25. Christian Mahogany from BC, Zinter obviously, or Javion Cohen from Miami(YTM.)
So Franklin in the second, try to acquire a 3rd for Zinter, and Jackson in the 5th would be my ideal outcome.
Mikey would play at the same spot as Branch, and Branch is Branch.
I would like to see them drop out of the 2nd and pick up additional picks. After pick 61 they don't draft until 100 picks later. Can't see them moving up in the 2nd as they don't have draft capital of value unless we are talking 2025 inventory. If they can translate that late 2nd to an early to mid 3rd and an early 4th or something like that it would be positive. Someone like Zinter or equal interior OL value could drop to them in early 4th for example.
Even with our great GM 5th to 7th round picks are generally low probability to pan out. Last year are Colby Sorsdal and Antoine Green, prior year Rodrigo which was a camp phenom but really a special team player on a real team, Houston and Chase Lucas, and first year was Jermar Jefferson. So out of those 3 drafts you have a 7 game run by Houston and cameo by Rodrigo on a really bad roster at the time. Sorsdal was a developmental pick from a small school, so we'll see if he becomes anything in time.
And yes I know Tom Brady, Brock Purdy, and a host of guys who turn into stars as UDFAs or late rounders but it's not the probability vs guys in the 2nd thru 4th.