2021 NFL Team Draft Page

For most of the offseason, given the players available in our mocks, we were locked into Detroit going wide receiver, but in the end the Lions wound up with the best offensive linemen in the entire draft.

Even though I was a big advocate of Detroit addressing their wide receiver group, having a player of Sewell's caliber basically fall into your lap is simply put, a no brainer. Sewell is a beast of an offensive linemen and his toughness, grit, and overall skill is most definitely going to help boost Detroit's offensive production. Strengthening the o-line will allow more opportunities for the offense to flourish, possibly sneaking Swift, Williams, or yes, even Kerryon Johnson, outo of the backfield for checkdowns if the deep threats Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman aren't open. Thinking deeper, with this pick, Detroit will now likely shift Vatai to Guard and allow Sewell to take hold of the Right Tackle position. Also, knowing that T.J. Hockenson is also a more than solid run and pass blocker, Detroit may now have arguably the best offensive line in the NFC North. I love the selection.

Grade: A+

- Doug Hyde, Lions Analyst

With the first two selections for Detroit, a theme is becoming noticeable. That theme being, Holmes and Campbell are going after toughness, grit, and a blend of freak athleticism. In other words, finding guys that will buy into "biting kneecaps". Levi Onwuzurike is vicious, ferocious, and moves well for a big man on the d-line. Just watch these highlights if you're unfamiliar with Levi's work. It's impressive.

Detroit is seemingly going after tone setter, culture, and building block players with Sewell and Onwuzurike and building from the inside out. It's a sound strategy, especially when teams have to line up against Okwara, Brockers, Onwuzurike, and Flowers. I'm happy with the pick, but you do have to wonder when addressing wide receiver is going to happen. Maybe with one of their 3rd rounders? We'll find out.

Grade: B+

- Doug Hyde, Lions Analyst

Detroit goes big man in back-to-back selections here at #72 as they select North Carolina State DT, Alim McNeill. In many corners, McNeill was shooting up NFL draft boards, and according to Pro Football Focus, McNeill was being mocked in the second round in the Pick #40 range. His Pro Day really helped him by running a 4.94 dash and bench pressing 225 pounds in 27 reps.

Watching film on McNeill, he controls the line of scrimmage and rarely gets pushed around. It looks like Detroit, based on their last selection, is really hammering home the desire to stop the run and/or create more penetration with the McNeill and Onwuzurike picks.

- Doug Hyde, Lions Analyst

Grade: C+

Snagging a cornerback who was mentioned as a possible first-rounder in third round comp territory is nice work by new Detroit GM Brad Holmes. Ifeatu Melifonwu of Syracuse has size at 6-3 and ran a 4.48 40 at his Pro Day. He will require some work on coverage technique before his production catches his potential, but he has an excellent chance to find a role in the Detroit rebuild. Grade: B-