2017 NFL Draft Recap

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Over the next several days we will take time to spotlight this years draft picks. Welcome to each and every one of these outstanding athletes and Go Lions!

1st Round, 3rd Overall: DE Myles Garrett

The SEC's leader in sacks (12.5), tackles for loss (19.5) and forced fumbles (five) despite seeing an array of double teams, Garrett has more than lived up to his enormous recruiting hype. Listed at 6-5, 262, Garrett’s got the chiseled physique of a DB — a huge DB. The junior has off-the-charts workout numbers. He told me this month he power cleans 440 pounds and bench-presses 485 — staggering when you consider he also has a 40-inch vertical and his fastest 40 time at A&M, he said, is 4.45. "If I could dip into the 4.3s, that’d be great," he told FOX Sports. It’s also been insane to see someone that big moving that fast. Garrett’s diet is pretty tight. "I just try to stay away from soda and try to stay away from candy and sweets," he said, adding that he thinks he can bulk up to 270. Scary thought: Garrett doesn’t turn 21 until December.

"Myles Garrett is college football’s most freakish athlete, and it's easy to see why"

 

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2nd Round, Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State

In what would end up being the first of back-to-back Buckeyes, we selected Malik Hooker in the 2nd round. This extremely versatile ball-hawking safety was someone we didn't see falling to us in the 2nd so taking him was a no-brainer. He has good size, speed and ball skills and can play both safety positions for us.

Fast closing speed and ball skills are evident here:

 

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3rd Round, Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State

Conley was overshadowed by his fellow teammate, CB Marshon Lattimore, but Gareon is a great cover corner that knows how to make big plays in big games. He has quick closing speed and plays well in man and zone coverage. We look for him to start from day one as the nickle back and expect great things from him. While we already knew he was a very talented corner, his pro day really blew us away. He made play after play during his workout but getting to know him was the best part. When asked about how he was kinda the forgotten guy on a loaded defense, he replied "I am just here to help win games, if anyone knows who I am doesn't matter, just as long as we win". #Teamfirst

 

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4th Round, Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington

In what many called, "the best college football player you've never heard of", we welcome WR Cooper Kupp. Kupp broke Jerry Rice's FCS records for receptions, yards and touchdowns in fewer games. We believe this could be one of the biggest steals in the draft. At 6'2", 195 with great speed and incredible hands, he will be an integral part of our offense from day one. While many will say he didn't play vs top competition, we only need to remind them of his 15 catch, 246 yards with 3 TDs performance vs Oregon. Cooper is a playmaker and we are glad to welcome him to Detroit!

 

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5th Round, Jordan Leggett, TE, Clemson

With the 5th round pick, the Lions took a chance on one of the drafts biggest surprises. This particular surprise was not a good one. If strictly going on talent and ability, Leggett could have been a late 1st round pick, instead, he had to watch as his stock plummeted until finally being selected in the 5th round. What caused this fall? Two words, Lazy Leggett. This was a nickname that has followed him around since his freshman year. Leggett plans to use this as motivation moving forward and prove to each and every team he faces that they listened to the wrong advice. We asked the Lions TE coach why they made the decision to bring him in and he said that they didn't make this decision lightly. He stated that the Clemson staff admitted that he was lazy many times during his career at Clemson but definitely saw a complete 180 his senior year. One particular coach said "He came in a wheelchair, even told you, 'I'm lazy Leggett.' Didn’t know how to work."
"Now he's going to leave here as a college graduate and one of the best tight ends in the country."

With time to learn behind one of the hardest workers on the team, (Ebron), The Lions believe he could have a very bright future in the league.

 

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In the 6th round of the 2017 NFL Draft the Lions selected Nico Siragusa, OG from San Diego St. At 6'5" 320, Nico offers depth at a position we were sitting pretty thin at. We look for him to learn and grow and plan to see him on the field a lot in the future.

With the very last pick in the draft, we selected OLB Carl Kendrick from the Air Force Academy. We have never actually seen this guy play, nor can we confirm he actually exists, but he was on our draft day cheat sheet so we said....Why not? We look forward to meeting him at camp in the next coming weeks.