Detroit Lions – Five most common questions about upcoming NFL draft

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2016, file photo, Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn answers reporters questions after being introduced during a news conference in Allen Park, Mich. Quinn has made some changes in his first year, revamping the team's nutrition and strength and conditioning program. The Lions also added tinted windows where visitors used to be able to catch a glimpse of a workout or practice. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File) — FILE – In this Jan. 11, 2016, file photo, Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn answers reporters questions after being introduced during a news conference in Allen Park, Mich. Quinn has made some changes in his first year, revamping the team’s nutrition and strength and conditioning program. The Lions also added tinted windows where visitors used to be able to catch a glimpse of a workout or practice. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)

By Paula Pasche | The Oakland Press

PUBLISHED: April 6, 2017 at 3:43 p.m. | UPDATED: June 17, 2021 at 6:26 a.m.

Until otherwise notified, the NFL draft is still like the Super Bowl for Lions fans.

So with the draft just three weeks away, there are plenty of questions remaining.

Most of them won’t be answered until the three-day event (April 27-29) is over. However, speculation is half of the fun.

Here are five questions I’m most frequently asked about the Lions draft:

1. Which position will they pick in the first round? Honestly, if you could ask general manager Bob Quinn five minutes before the draft I don’t think he would know. It depends so much on who is available when the Lions draft at No. 21. Obviously Quinn is not going to bare his soul or share his draft board with the media. I think he did really well in his first draft and expect him to be more prepared now because he’s had more time and he’s been through it once. All you have to do is look at the roster to see that defensive end, linebacker and cornerback are priorities for the early rounds. He’ll blend the best player available with need and make the pick.

2. If Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers is available will the Lions draft him? It would not surprise me if they’d go for Peppers. He’s a super athlete but is a bit of a wild card because it’s unclear which position he will play. He was mostly a linebacker at Michigan (although he played at 13 different positions), but speculation is that he’ll be an NFL safety. He also can jump in right away as a returner. Since Ann Arbor is just down the road, you know the Lions have scouted him big-time. Plus they really like Graham Glasgow and Jake Rudock, Michigan players they drafted a year ago.

3. Who is best defensive end they could get in first round? It really depends on who you ask. ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper loves Charles Harris (Missouri) for the Lions because of his explosiveness and speed. Todd McShay, another ESPN draft analyst, likes Takkarist McKinley (UCLA) for his speed. Other mock drafts have Lions taking Michigan’s Taco Charlton. One thing is for sure, there are plenty of quality defensive ends available in this draft and I’d expect the Lions to get at least one although not necessarily in the first round.

4. Will then consider Barry Sanders, a running back from Oklahoma State? Hall of Famer Barry Sanders has a son named Barry. Technically he’s not Barry Sanders Jr., because he has a middle name and his dad doesn’t. Still the bloodlines are there. The young Sanders is not expected to be drafted. He’s ranked the 43rd best running back in the draft by CBSsports.com. He is not his dad. He began his college career at Stanford where he was not a starter. He finished last year at his dad’s alma mater. He averaged 3.3 yards per carry for 93 total yards in 2016. Doesn’t seem to have much of a future in the NFL and I don’t think the Lions would sign him as a publicity stunt. Although there is not much risk to signing an undrafted free agent.

5. Who would I draft in the first round? I would go for a linebacker if there was a good one available without a reach. In this order I’d take Haason Reddick (Temple), Jarrad Davis (Florida) or Takkarist McKinley (UCLA). If quality didn’t meet value at No. 21, I’d go for the best available defensive end.