POLL: Who should the Detroit Lions draft in our 2021 simulation?

The Detroit Lions are on the clock in the 2021 Pride of Detroit Community Draft, and they’re in a very interesting position. While the top three picks were all quarterbacks, as expected, there was a surprising streak of offensive tackles, and linebacker Micah Parsons also went a bit early.

That leaves the Lions with the choice of one of the best wide receivers in this draft, PLUS the chance to pick a quarterback who many believe could be a franchise player for many years to come. As a reminder, here’s how the board has fallen so far.

POD Community Mock Draft chooses so far:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
3. San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota
4. Atlanta Falcons: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwest
6. Miami Dolphins: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Now let’s briefly take a look at the most popular options for seven-year-old Lions.

LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase

Chase is the complete package when it comes to the physical tools needed to be an NFL wide receiver. While his gang at LSU displays a big physical receiver who often wins by intimidating the opposing secondary, he proved on his professional day this week that he also has NFL speed and can also just part ways with it. his feet.

Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle

Waddle might have the best hands in the draft, and he’s a very polite road racer as well. His speed was absolutely evident during his days with Crimson Tide, but his output was eclipsed every year by Alabama’s extremely deep set of receivers. He’s a little short at 5’10, but he has all the other physical tools in his arsenal. However, he didn’t run on his pro day, as Waddle is probably not 100% injured.

Alabama WR DeVonta Smith

2020 Heisman Trophy winner Smith was absolutely unstoppable in 2020. He led the NCAA in receptions (117), receiving yards (1856), receiving touchdowns (23 !!), and even punt return yards. (237).

Smith is a top road racer, and his speed and agility numbers would be irrelevant if he had fully raced on the Alabama Pro Day. The big question with Smith is whether someone his size could hold up in the NFL. At 6ft 1m, but only 175 pounds, his body type is extremely rare and there aren’t many NFL receivers of his height who have had successful careers:

Is Smith talented enough to break the mold?

Florida TE Kyle Pitts

Some consider Kyle Pitts to be the most talented wide receiver in this draft, but drafting a tight top 10 end (again) will be a tough sell for Lions fans who have spent the last few years convinced that the value positional is not. t there for a tight top-10 end. Pitts made his case this week with a ridiculous pro day that included the longest span on record for a tight end in the past 20 years, and a blazing 4.44-40-yard dash to go with it.

And these also appear on the tape. Pitts’ catch radius is nearly impossible, and he certainly held up against top SEC corner-backs when he was lined up on the outside. While he’s not likely to transition to a full-time outside wide receiver role, he has the talent to be a versatile receiver.

Ohio state QB Justin Fields

For some reason, Fields didn’t get the hype of the top three quarterbacks in this draft. Perhaps this is the poor legacy of the Ohio State quarterbacks in the NFL, perhaps it is the mainstream idea that Fields is struggling to get through his progressions.

But it’s also hard not to see the overwhelming advantages of his game. His athleticism places him firmly in the “double threat quarterback” category that is all the rage in the NFL today, and he has, too. an arm cannon. But his best trait is something that is rarely learned at the next level: precision. His adjusted 80.8 completion percentage was the second best in the country according to PFF’s 2021 NFL Draft Guide.

With the top five candidates listed, now is the time for you to vote. Erik Schlitt’s pick comes later on Friday, but who would you pick if you were in his shoes?