After finding playmakers for both sides of the ball on the first night of the draft, the Detroit Lions head into the second day with two more draft picks and plenty of high-level options still on the board.
The Lions currently have one pick in each of the two rounds for Day 2 of the draft. General manager Brad Holmes traded away their original second and third-round selections to move up and acquire Jameson Williams in the first round, but received back the 46th overall pick. The Lions will also draft at pick 97 in the third round.
Now that they have made their aggressive moves in the first round, it’s time for them to stay put with the draft capital they have and start patching up the remaining holes in the roster.
Here’s how their next two picks should play out:
Round 2, pick 46: LB Chad Muma, Wyoming
The Detroit Lions have not invested heavily in off-ball linebackers in recent years, and have struck out on the few early picks they’ve had at that position such as Jahlani Tavai and Jarrad Davis.
If Muma were to join the Lions, he could carve out a role nicely as he’d be not only the fasted inside linebacker rostered, but quite possibly their best in coverage as well. Detroit did draft Derrick Barnes last year and recently re-signed veterans Alex Anzalone and Shaun Dion Hamilton, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement at the inside linebacker position.
Muma would likely be used as a reserve for the first few games while he adjusts to the pro level of play, but he could easily find himself as a full-time starter by his second season.
Round 3, pick 97: S Kerby Joseph, Illinois
With yet another defensive pick, it shouldn’t be surpassing that the Lions would opt for some extra help at safety.
Detroit recently extended free safety Tracy Walker and inked one of this offseason’s top free agents in DeShon Elliott, but there’s still more of a need at the position than many might think.
Aaron Glenn’s defense utilizes many three-safety looks as well as some nickel and dime subpackages, meaning Detroit needs to make sure they have at least one more capable safety on the roster other than Walker and Elliott.
The Lions front office has already shown some interest in Joseph as well, seeing that they brought him in for a top-30 visit not too long before the draft.
Joseph could easily play that extra safety role for Detroit while waiting in the wings for when Elliott’s one-year deal expires to take over the starting gig.