Lions GM Brad Holmes used an interesting phrase when talking about his team’s options with the No. 7 overall pick in next week’s 2021 NFL draft. Holmes, in his pre-draft press conference on Friday, talked about a “cluster” of different positional needs and potential talents that would fit the bill for the pick.
“But at seven we do have a cluster of players that we’re comfortable with picking,” Holmes said, while quickly adding that the team is willing to move up or down, too.
The word “cluster” has often been used derisively to describe the Lions and their front office, but in this case Holmes should earn respect and praise for using it. By identifying a wider swath of potential picks, Holmes is keeping the Lions from being painted into a corner with any specific player or position. That’s smart for a team that needs impact talent at several key positions on both sides of the ball and has a limited amount of draft capital to fill those holes.
When pressed about who or what might be in the cluster, Holmes refused to bite. The general consensus is the team is looking at wide receiver, offensive tackle, defensive end and perhaps either linebacker or even quarterback with its first pick.
It’s fairly standard practice for NFL teams to have specific tiers of equivalent talents for draft ranges, and they can prioritize any player within that tier when it’s time to make the pick. At No. 7 and with the self-described cluster, it’s unlikely the Lions will be forced to dip into a lower tier to make a pick, and if they are there should be some trade offers from below to consider, too.