Detroit Lions' Draft Class Ranked Top 5 in NFL
The reviews are in, and for general manager Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions' new front office, their first draft class has been reviewed in a positive manner.
For a roster that needed everything, securing as many talented players on both sides of the football was the main objective.
With the No. 7 overall pick, offensive lineman Penei Sewell was the obvious choice, and his selection provides the offensive line a building block for the next decade.
After the completion of the draft, The Athletic ranked the entire draft classes of all 32 teams in the NFL.
For Detroit, drafting Sewell and the tremendous value selection of wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth round (No. 112 overall) catapulted the Lions up the rankings.
Dane Brugler ranked the Lions' draft as the third-best draft in the league.
Across the NFL, pundits have recognized Holmes & Co. for the value selections all throughout the weekend.
"A top-five ranked player on my board, Sewell was the perfect first addition for a new regime tasked with rebooting the franchise," Brugler explained. "At only 20 years old, his combination of big man balance and natural instincts are uncommon, which should allow him to start as a rookie and develop into one of the league’s top tackles."
Picks made by Lions in 2021 NFL Draft:
- Round 1, Pick 7 -- Oregon OL Penei Sewell
- Round 2, Pick 41 -- Washington DT Levi Onwuzurike
- Round 3, Pick 72 -- North Carolina State DT Alim McNeill
- Round 3, Pick 101 -- Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu
- Round 4, Pick 112 -- USC WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Round 4, Pick 113 -- Purdue LB Derrick Barnes
- Round 7, Pick 257 -- Oregon State RB Jermar Jefferson
