Detroit Lions 2016 NFL Draft Grades

Morgan Epstein grades the Detroit Lions 2016 NFL Draft. Does Detroit have a bright future after drafting Taylor Decker with the sixteenth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft?

16. Taylor Decker, LT, Ohio State A Grade

Taylor Decker was a reach. Decker was a necessary reach though with the top 3 left tackles off the board with Detroit looking to make an upgrade at offensive tackle. Decker could play both sides of the offensive line, but you wonder why Decker is playing left tackle instead of right tackle as Riley Reiff is expected to move to right tackle after being the Lions left tackle most of his career.

46. A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama B- Grade

Right now A'Shawn Robinson is the backup defensive tackle. He's in a position battle with Tyrann Walker for the starting defensive tackle job so this pick gets a B- grade for now.

95. Graham Glasgow, C, Michigan C- Grade

Graham Glasgow was great during Senior Bowl week. He was once seen as a challenger to Travis Swanson for the starting center job. He's shown no enthusiasm since his arrival in Detroit and is already been demoted to third string.

111. Milew Killebrew, SS, Southern Utah B Grade

Rafael Bush, Don Carey, and Miles Killebrew are all competing for the starting strong safety spot. No starter has been announced yet. Killebrew could still end up starting so its too early to say if this is a good pick or a bad pick. I liked the value Detroit got here so I'll give it a B grade.

151. Joe Dahl, LG, Washington State B Grade

Detroit has Laken Tomlinson and Larry Warford as starting guards. Getting Joe Dahl as a backup left guard was a smart decision.

169. Ant Williams, ROLB, Ga. Southern F Grade

Georgia Southern linebacker Antwoine Williams is a third string 4-3 right outside linebacker. This was a terrible pick by the Lions.

191. Jake Rudock, QB, Michigan F Grade

Jake Rudock is listed as a third string quarterback. He may not even make the roster as a rookie.

202. Anthony Zettel, DT, Penn State F Grade

Anthony Zettel was 6-4 285 lbs entering the 2016 NFL Combine. He's lost 7 lbs since the NFL Draft and doesn't seem explosive enough to play defensive end in the NFL. I think Zettel may get cut with him being a fourth string defensive tackle on the roster at the moment.

210. Jimmy Landes, LS, Baylor F Grade

Detroit wasted a pick on a long snapper. This is the kind of behavior I expect from Matt Millen not the Lions new GM.

236. Dwayne Washington, FB, Washington A Grade

Dwayne Washington is beating out the fullback the Lions drafted in 2015 for the starting fullback job. This was a great pick by the Lions in the seventh round.

Detroit Lions Team Grade: D Grade

This was an awful draft by the Lions. I'm literally asking myself if this Lions fan who jinxed the Wolverines against Michigan State and who also jinxed the Lions against the Packers is making these picks for the Lions.

I don't think Taylor Decker should be starting at left tackle, but he was their only immediate starter. Robinson and Killebrew could be great, but are wait and see players.