The Detroit Lions ended the Matt Stafford era last season with a record of 5-11 and in last place in the NFC North. The Lions shockingly traded Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster trade for Jared Goff.
Goff will be looking to create a new path in Detroit and hopefully get the Lions back to the playoffs under new head coach Dan Campbell. The Lions will need get Goff some help after losing Kenny Golladay in free agency to the New York Giants. Detroit could their first-round pick at wide receiver or on the other side of the football, which needs help as well.
Detroit Lions 2021 Draft Picks
Round 1: No. 7, OL Penei Sewell
Round 2: No. 41, DT Levi Onwuzurike
Round 3: No. 72, DT Alim McNeil; No. 101, Ifeatu Melifonwu
Round 4: No. 112, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown; No. 113, LB Derrick Barnes
Round 7: No. 257, RB Jermar Jefferson
Team needs
Offense: Wide Receiver, Offensive Line
The Detroit Lions need to give their new quarterback an explosive playmaker at the wide receiver position. The team lost Kenny Golladay in the offseason, but did sign vets Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman, who can both stretch the field. But neither Williams or Perriman are explosive as Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle. All three wide receivers are game breakers and could be No. 1/No. 2 WR options the first time they step on the field.
Defense: Cornerback, Linebacker, Defensive Tackle
The Lions have multiple needs on defense as they try to re-tool under first-year defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. With the seventh overall pick in the draft, the Lions could draft one of the top three cornerbacks (Surtain II, Horn, Farley) or opt to select linebacker Micah Parsons. If they were to take a cornerback, they could pair them with Jeff Okudah, who they selected last year in the first round.
Dream first pick
With the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions take wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. With Chase heading into Miami, the Lions get Goff an absolute stud and playmaker in Waddle.