3 Lions Targets That Have Steal Of The Draft Potential
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
There aren’t many roster holes for a Detroit team coming off a 15-2 season and returning the bulk of its contributors. Despite that, the draft is a perfect spot to load up on more talent and it’s an area that general manager Brad Holmes has excelled in.
The Lions have hit home runs early in recent drafts. Here are three steals they could aim for later on.
DEFENSIVE END: Sai’vion Jones – LSU
Detroit has a superstar at defensive end in Aidan Hutchinson. The other side of the defensive front is less certain. The Lions released Za’Darius Smith and while they re-signed Marcus Davenport, it was just to a one-year deal. Davenport has played just six games the last two years and has had a career riddled with injuries. Durability wasn’t a problem for Jones in college, who didn’t miss a game in his final three years at LSU. Jones has a never-ending motor which would be a seamless fit for a Dan Campbell led team. Jones also could benefit from learning to pace himself for a full game by getting some reps early in his career but not a full workload. With the Lions, Jones could be a third-down specialist early in his career before elevating to a starter’s role. With Davenport back in the picture for 2025, there wouldn’t be an immediate need for Jones to handle starter reps. For a Lions defense that was battered with injuries in 2024, getting someone who can make a splash but also be readily available is key. Jones checks both those boxes.
QUARTERBACK: Kyle McCord – Syracuse
Jared Goff is under contract through 2028 and isn’t going anywhere. There’s an odd dilemma with Hendon Hooker who was taken in the third round by Detroit in 2023 but has no immediate path to playing time and just one year left on his rookie deal after 2025. Why not start searching for Goff’s heir apparent? McCord put up big numbers at Syracuse and is never afraid to let it sling. With the Orange, McCord played a pro-style offense which should help with his transition into the league. McCord has good size at 6-foot-3 and has the type of resilience that plays perfectly in Detroit. McCord had a rocky stay with Ohio State and many buried him. He rebounded with a stellar year at Syracuse and a mindset to attack vertically downfield. Is quarterback an immediate need for the Lions? No. However, it’s always good to get the next guy lined up before you absolutely need the next guy to step in. Detroit has such a full roster it can flirt with the idea of finding its next quarterback.
OFFENSIVE GUARD: Willie Lampkin – North Carolina
Just like we mentioned with Sai’vion Jones and his durability, Lampkin had all of that and then some in his five years in college. Lampkin had 38 consecutive starts in his three years at Coastal Carolina before he stamped 19 more across two years at North Carolina. Detroit could use a boost at right guard and Lampkin is a hell of a prospect. Some teams may wipe Lampkin off the board for his lack of size alone. At 5-foot-10, 270 pounds, Lampkin was a full three inches shorter than any offensive line prospect ever to take part in the Senior Bowl. Despite his small frame, Lampkin continually wins his reps and oftentimes, in dominating fashion. The Lions aren’t typically the team that will remove a prospect like Lampkin from their board because of a like of size. Instead, they’ll flip it around and look at the positives like his durability and his ability to be a tenacious blocker. Lampkin has major “steal of the draft” vibes wherever he goes because of those who won’t take a second look because of his size. All he did in college was dominate and stay on the field. Durability will be well-received in Detroit after its 2024 season was lost in large part due to too many injuries.
Up Next