Category: Detroit Lions

Lions avoid winless season in dramatic fashion with walk-off TD vs. Vikings

The Detroit Lions got their first win of the 2021 season on the last play of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings

The Detroit Lions are still leading the race for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, but they finally have their first victory of the 2022 season, even if it took until the last play of Sunday’s home matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff found a somehow-wide-open Amon-Ra St. Brown in the end zone as time expired, giving the Detroit a 29-27 victory.

Goff and company needed that last-second touchdown despite having held a 20-6 lead at halftime, writing a script that Lions fans have come to know all too well this season. But this time, there was a happy ending for the Detroit faithful, ensuring they won’t be the first team to ever finish a season with an 0-17 record.

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Top prospects Lions could target to replace Matthew Stafford

With Matthew Stafford likely heading elsewhere via trade, the Detroit Lions could target one of these quarterbacks in the 2021 NFL draft

The Detroit Lions and quarterback Matthew Stafford are expected to mutually part ways this offseason, which means the veteran passer will find a new home via trade, and his former team will be looking to replace him this offseason.

If they want to do that with their top pick in the 2021 NFL draft, here are the prospects they could target:

Top 2021 NFL draft needs for the Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions should be looking to address these needs in the 2021 NFL draft

With a new general manager in Brad Holmes and a new head coach Dan Campbell, the Detroit Lions hope that a new regime can help them exit the NFC North cellar and win their first playoff game since 1991.

There is talent on Detroit’s roster, but there’s obviously still plenty of work to be done before they can be considered a playoff threat.

Here are some of their biggest needs for the 2021 NFL draft:

Why Lions fans should be excited about Jeff Okudah

The Detroit Lions landed the perfect replacement for Darius Slay in Ohio State corner Jeff Okudah

Despite rumors that they would trade down, the Detroit Lions stayed put at the No. 3 overall selection in the 2020 NFL draft and took the player many expected they would, trade down or not: Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah.

With the departure of Darius Slay, the Lions entered the draft with a sizable hole at the cornerback position, and selecting a player of Okudah’s caliber should fill that hole going forward.

Okudah, who had three interceptions and nine pass deflections in 2019, is one of the most talented cornerbacks to enter the draft in recent years. He is a lengthy, athletic, intelligent and physical lockdown defender whose combination of tools essentially make him the prototype at his position. His fluidity and long speed allow him to match up vertically with most anybody he faces, and his willingness to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage and fight through contact give him upside in press coverage.

Considering the lack of depth the Lions have at cornerback, Okudah should be able to quickly slide into the starting spot alongside newly-acquired veteran Desmond Trufant. The rookie projects best as a boundary cornerback, where his length and physicality will be put to good use.

Fellow Ohio State alumni Denzel Ward and Marshon Lattimore – both Pro Bowlers in their rookie years – will be the measuring stick for Okudah’s rookie campaign, and it wouldn’t be shocking if he followed in their footsteps.

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2020 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions team preview

Everything Detroit Lions fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft

Everything Detroit Lions fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

VITALS

Head Coach: Matt Patricia

General Manager: Bob Quinn

2019 Record: 3-12-1

2020 DRAFT PICKS

1 (3)

2 (35)

3 (67)

3 (85, from Eagles)

4 (109)

5 (149)

5 (166, from Eagles)

6 (182)

7 (235, from Eagles via Patriots)

TEAM NEEDS

Cornerback

Desmond Trufant gives the Lions a solid No. 1 starting cornerback with Darius Slay gone, but they still lack depth and a reliable starter on the outside. Many expect them to draft Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah, either at No. 3 or in a trade-back scenario, for this very reason.

Edge Rusher

Trey Flowers is a talented defender off the edge, but the Lions only got 1.5 sacks out of the edge rusher position outside of him in 2019. Don’t be surprised if they look for some pass-rushing value at some point early in the draft.

Offensive Guard

The Lions signed Halapoulivaati Vaitai in free agency to presumably play right tackle on their offensive line, but they still could use an upgrade from Joe Dahl at left guard. Though this year’s guard class isn’t a stellar one, they could still find a potential starter on Day 2.

TOP TARGETS

Jeff Okudah | CB | Ohio State

Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State

Derrick Brown | DL | Auburn

Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama

A.J. Epenesa | EDGE | Iowa

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Charles Rogers, No. 2 pick in 2003 NFL draft, dies at 38

Former Michigan State and Lions receiver Charles Rogers has died at age 38: https://t.co/tj9y5W5rSs pic.twitter.com/JbXJKfZId7 – Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 11, 2019 One of the most highly drafted wide receivers in NFL history, Charles …

One of the most highly drafted wide receivers in NFL history, Charles Rogers has died at the age of 38.

A star at Michigan State, Rogers was selected No. 2 overall in the 2003 NFL draft by the in-state Detroit Lions. He was a first-team all-conference pick in back-to-back seasons, winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award as college football’s best wide receiver in 2002. He was also a unanimous All-American selection that season.

Unfortunately, Rogers’ college success never translated to the pro game. He only appeared in 15 games over three seasons with the Lions, catching 36 passes for 440 yards and four touchdowns for his career.

The Detroit Lions released the following statement:

Rogers dealt with multiple legal issues during his time in the NFL, and was suspended in 2005 for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Though he played just two seasons for the Spartans, his 27 touchdown receptions are still the highest mark in school history, while he ranks No. 3 in career receiving yards.

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