Most of the time, NFL teams are looking to find their talent at a young age. Draft well and not only do you have a player whose career could last a long time on your team, but for those first four years, you have him on a bargain.
But there’s something to say about having talented veterans, too. Experience is valuable both on the field and in team meetings. Plus, sometimes the most reliable people on the field are veterans who have learned to limit mistakes and master their craft.
So while the Lions continue to get shut out of lists like the “Top 25 players under 25,” one prominent member of the team made NFL.