By Adam Roberts – 4/26/2021
This Thursday in Cleveland, 32 individuals will hear their names called by the commissioner of the National Football League and their dreams of making it on the biggest stage will become a reality. As for us, we will observe the proceedings from the comfort of Buffalo Wild Wings in Onalaska. Between now and then, we’ll take a look each day at each NFC North team with a scheduled pick in round one. Let’s begin with Detroit.
While some Packers fans might say the wideout situation has been less than ideal outside of Davante Adams at times recently, I don’t think many would argue they have it much worse than the Lions do right now. Combine that with new leadership stepping in in GM Brad Holmes and first-year head coach Dan Campbell, and the Lions will likely want to get to biting their opponents ankles early with a splash pick at the position. Of the six teams in front of them in the draft, Cincinnati is likely the only one that may chase a receiver as well (perhaps Atlanta enters that conversation with the recent Julio Jones rumors). Pro Football Focus’s most recent mock draft has the Lions going with Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle, and assuming they don’t deal the pick like Holmes hinted at recently, that seems like a solid choice assuming he doesn’t go to Atlanta or Cincy. It could be between Ja’Maar Chase and Waddle, but I think Chase fits a little bit better with the Bengals. Again, keep an eye out for a draft day move or for the Falcons to jump on a receiver themselves.
Prediction: Jaylen Waddle, WR Alabama