For months, draft analysts have been trying to predict which prospects the Detroit Lions were focused in on with their first round selection (20th overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft. Names like Boston College pass rusher Harold Landry plus Alabama defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne and linebacker Rashaan Evans drew obvious connections to the Lions’ new coaching staff.
And with Detroit’s needs at running back, LSU’s Derrius Guice and Georgia’s Sony Michel were mock draft favorites. One area most draftniks ignored early for the Lions was offensive line. The main reason for that was due to the team’s previous high investments made into that positional group.