NFL Draft Preview: Defensive Lineman ( 2021 )

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2021 NFL draft preview: The Lions need defensive line help, but this class offers few options

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This new thread relates to the following threads:

Lions have Pick # 7 in the 2021 NFL Draft

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/865/lions-pick-2021-nfl-draft


Mock Draft ( 2021 ) - DLF Members

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1017/mock-draft-2021-dlf-members

It's subjective which Defensive Lineman is the high rated prospect in this draft and which one will be taken ahead of the others.

It would be extremely surprising if the Lions drafted a Defensive Lineman with pick # 7. Even trading down into the 10 to 19 range for a Defensive Lineman in this draft isn't something I'm hoping happens. Azeez Ojulari probably would be the Edge Player I would prefer for the Lions, if the Lions traded down to pick # 15 or below. Yet, there could be better options at other positions.

Christian Barmore would be worth considering from pick # 15 or lower. So much again depends on options at other positions. Otherwise, once Round 1 is complete, then an assessment can be made if any Defensive Lineman would make sense for the Lions at pick # 41 ( or in a trade down ) in Round 2. Iowa DT Daviyon Nixon would be intriguing, especially if the Lions were able to get him in a lower spot than # 41.

The Lions can use more options at DE and DT. Having said that, the Lions are in relatively better shape on the Defensive Line than elsewhere on Defense. If the Lions didn't draft a Defensive Lineman this year, that would be fine on this end.

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Miami DE Jaelan Phillips offers intrigue, potential as NFL draft's boom or bust prospect

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I'm not down playing the ankle injuries and the wrist injury. Medical reports with those injuries are very important in the evaluation process. However, the much larger concern is the concussion history Jaelan Holmes has.

Jahvid Best immediately comes to mind as a player with a concussion history before he was drafted by the Lions. Martin Mayhew rolled the dice on Best and lost.

I expect Phillips to go somewhere in Round 1. But it's imperative that Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell don't take a risk on Phillips in Round 1. If Phillips unexpectedly is available with pick # 41 in Round 2, that's when it would became more difficult decision how to proceed, if in the Lions position.

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Nick Saban disputes criticism of Christian Barmore

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Christian Barmore is entering the NFL after his Redshirt Sophomore season. He has huge upside potential but is far from a finished product. Barmore had the potential to be a top 10 player pick in the 2022 Draft, if he remained with Alabama one more season. I have him going in my Mock Draft to Tennessee with pick # 22. He might even go a few picks earlier because of his vast potential and this isn't a good overall DT crop.

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NFL draft: Detroit Lions looking for DL upgrades; Michigan's Kwity Paye is top edge rusher


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The 2021 Defensive Lineman Draft crop, even more so with the DTs than the DEs, is a major reason why I believe Brad Holmes preferred the LA Rams trade offer for Matthew Stafford than a trade offer from the Carolina Panthers with pick # 8 the primary resource in return to the Lions.