The Official Detroit Lions Den Thread

#5,756
#5,756
It's been three years. Grades for the Lions 2021 Draft

R1, P7: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

Grade: A+
Review: The Lions were able to grab a Hall of Fame talent at tackle, already a top 2 RT in football and top 5 overall OT in football and he's only 22. He's never missed a game due to injury. He's already a captain among a group of veterans and is maybe the most versatile OL in the league with what he does as a run blocker. He's basically everything you want in a franchise OT and Brad Holmes' first draft pick as Lions GM is a future HOF assuming Sewell stays healthy. And he gave up ZERO assets to do it. Other than MAYBE Micah Parsons, there isn't a player I would take over Sewell that went after him. Incredible work.

R2, P41: Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
Grade: D
Review: Onwuzurike had talent and was very productive at Washington but slipped due to not playing in 2020 and concern over injury. That has become the story on him. He missed all of 2022 after undergoing back surgery and has only 2 TFL and 1 sack in his 25 career games. He was a huge miss, especially since I wanted Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who Cleveland took and has become an integral part of the Browns defense. Onwuzurike really is just a depth piece that gets maybe 10 snaps a game at most. Not sure Onwuzurike is on the team in 2024. Biggest miss of the draft by Holmes

R3, P72: Alim McNeill, DT, NC State
Grade: A
Review: Holmes was in best player available mode no matter position in 2021, so he took another DT. He hit with this one. McNeill was playing at a Pro Bowl rate before his injury and has become the best Lions DT since Suh left in 2014. The dropped weight made him a dangerous interior rusher as well, plus he has been a sound run stopper since day 1. He was an immediate starter and while the stats don't jump out, he's always graded well. This year he has 5 sacks and 6 TFL in 12 games in 2023. He's in competition with Nico Collins and Ben Cleveland as the best 3rd rounder in the 2021 draft. Awesome pick up by Brad Holmes.

R3, P101: Ifeatu Melifonwu, DB, Syracuse
Grade: B
Review: If this was done a month ago, this would have been a C-. No shame in a backup DB and solid special teams player at pick 101. But over the last month Melifonwu has shockingly turned into the best Lions DB after he took over for Tracy Walker at safety. He was incredibly raw, but an incredibly twitchy athlete with natural instincts. He's become a guy the Lions can build around with his excellent in the box skills from the safety position and has shown some natural playmaking as well. He also made the play to clinch the Lions the NFC North. He needs to sustain it, but Melifonwu is looking like a potential steal and valuable asset for Detroit.

R4, P112: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC
Grade: A+
Review: Oh this isn't a big deal or anything. Just drafting a top 10 WR and the best true slot WR in the NFL in the 4th round. St. Brown has caught 308 passes for 3,444 yards and 20 TD's in his short three year career and has become a first down merchant with 193 total first downs in his three year career. He a heady and tough run blocker that gives the Lions the versatility to line him up anywhere and has become a monster on 3rd down. Despite his size and lack of "burner" speed, he catches balls over the middle as well as anyone and has great YAC ability as well. A fantastic weapon and player that deserves a big contract in the offseason. Home run pick.

R4, P113: Derrick Barnes, LB, Purdue
Grade: B-
Review: Nothing incredibly fancy about this pick but still a solid contributor in year 4. Barnes was a lot like Melifonwu coming out, incredibly talented but incredibly raw. He's become an average LB for the Lions, not an everyday off ball LB but plays special teams well and is a solid run stopper. He's a decent pass rusher on the blitz (WHY DIDN"T YOU GET DAK FOR A SAFETY ARRRGGHHH) and if he is your third LB you're in solid shape. Not a special pick or anything, but a nice depth piece and a player you need. Cheap depth piece that can give you an occasional start that won't kill you. In order to build a complete team, you need a guy like Barners.

R7, P257: Jermar Jefferson, RB, Oregon State
Grade: C
Review: Basically a PS guy at this point, Jefferson has only played 7 games in his Lions career. He has only had 19 touches in his career and was basically a ST guy until Craig Reynolds was signed. It's a 7th rounder, there was maybe two guys in the 7th round that turned out to be anything in the 2021 draft. And it was the third to last pick in the draft. It's fine. He's still on the PS squad and seems like a fine locker room dude.
 
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#5,757
#5,757
Overall thoughts on the 2021 NFL Draft by Brad Holmes

Total Grade: A-
Review: This was a foundation draft by Brad Holmes and company for the Lions. They drafted a franchise, HOF OT with potential to turn into a multiple 1st team All-Pro in Penei Sewell with their first pick and don't forget, did not give up any assets to do it. This earns extra marks because while analysts yelled they needed to take a QB, instead Holmes took Sewell and got a superstar with it. He drafted two Pro Bowl caliber starters at DT and WR. McNeill has become an excellent selection and a 3-down DT that the Lions really needed. St. Brown has become a top 10 WR in the NFL. When your first draft contains a HOF and 2 other foundational players, you've absolutely hit. He also drafted another starter in Melifonwu who has become a playmaker the last month in the defensive backfield and a solid 3rd LB in Derrick Barnes in the 4th round. The only reason this gets knocked to A- is the Onwuzurike pick. It wasn't a reach, he had a 2nd round grade. But the lack of production and some of the players taken after him have become very good. If Onwuzurike hit, this might be the best draft of 2021. Either way, excellent job by Brad.
 
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#5,767
#5,767
MAD said:
Next year they are supposed to redesign their uniforms, wonder if this will be their new helmet going forward?
Click to expand...
gotta say..........I love it. Like the traditional also, but this combo is sweet
 
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