The latest 2021 NFL Draft projections from our brother site Draft Wire have the Detroit Lions getting front-7 help early and a possible player of the future in the third.
With the draft order established by Super Bowl odds, the Lions are slotted to pick ninth, and Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling gives the Lions Florida State defensive tackle Marvin Wilson.
At this stage in the process, Wilson (6-5, 311) is the top interior defensive lineman on most draft analysts boards — as is the case here — as he can be dominant from the 3-technique. Wilson is a rock in the middle and not only is difficult to move off his spot, but he is capable of attacking upfield — something the Lions are desperate for.
In the second round, Easterling gave the Lions another player from Ohio State, linebacker Baron Browning. At 6-3, 248-pounds, Browning fits the size profile Lions prefer and his athleticism/speed are very impressive, but the main questions surrounding him are his lack of snaps. In coach Patricia’s scheme, Browning would be a quality WILL linebacker who can flow to the ball, but he would need to control his aggressiveness.
In the third round, Easterling has the Lions investing in the future, grabbing Georgia (via graduate transfer from Wake Forrest) quarterback Jamie Newman. Newman has solid arm strength and isn’t afraid to take shots downfield, but is a much better pass when focusing on intermediate passes. He is athletic and mobile in the pocket, has the speed to escape and run for a first down, but prefers to hang in and attempt throws. He’s not a plug and play starter in the NFL and would need time to develop.
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