Detroit Lions fans who covet a prime draft pick lost when the team won Sunday in Arizona. The win over the Cardinals lifted the Lions to a 1-2 record and elevated Detroit well away from a top-5 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft — for now.
The updated 2021 NFL Draft order, courtesy of Tankathon, finds the Lions sitting outside the top 10. Detroit is now 13th in the order, thanks to the 8-1 record of their three foes; Arizona’s loss to Detroit is the only loss any of the Lions’ three opponents has through three weeks.
That’s how volatile the rankings are in the early season. But it also demonstrates what a competition it will be for non-playoff teams to be bad enough to seize a top-3 pick to land presumptive top choices Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields and Penei Sewell.
The first 17 picks with records and strength of schedule, from Tankathon:
The Lions play the Saints, currently picking 11th, in Week 4.