Lions Roundtable: Dream and Nightmare Draft Scenarios
1.) How disappointing is it that four Lions players and four staffers from the team were punished for violating the NFL's gambling policy?
Christian Booher: It was a massive disappointment to read the report about the issues within the Lions organization on Friday. These violations go against the culture that Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have been building.
The timing is also frustrating. With just one week until the draft, this was an offseason of praise for the Lions. However, the tone has changed with the scandal that has implicated the Lions' headquarters.
Vito Chirco: I think it's highly disappointing, taking into account all the positive buzz that had been existent for the Lions this offseason. I view it as a major blow not only to Detroit on the field, but also to the team's credibility (which had previously been on the rise). Now, you have to call into question whether the culture within the locker room is as positive as it's been drummed up to be. Because whether you view the NFL's gambling rules to be stupid or not, one thing is without question: Jameson Williams should have known better than to be placing bets on college football games at banned locations.
2.) Are you concerned about Jameson Williams' maturity?
Booher: I hope when we look back on the suspension, we can chalk it up to an unfortunate mistake. However, there are legitimate reasons to be concerned about Williams' longevity as a pro, with some of his decision-making so far.
There have been concerns with his activity on social media, such as liking tweets that paint the Lions in a negative light. His decision-making to this point has not been ideal, but there is still time for him to make the best of his current situation.
This season is a pivotal one for Williams. He will need to produce, to justify Holmes making the leap to draft him at No. 12 overall in 2022.
Chirco: I believe Williams' latest misstep showcases a severe lack of maturity. As I already established, he should've known that it was completely wrong to bet on games -- whether of the NFL variety or not -- at barred locations. There are no excuses for it, and he deserved the six-game suspension that was handed down to him.
Until he proves otherwise, he will be labeled as a player that doesn't know how to deal with the limelight that comes with being an NFL player. His chance at redemption starts now.
3.) Will the Lions draft a quarterback in the first round?
Booher: I don't think so. There are just too many needs, from a depth perspective, to justify the Lions selecting a quarterback early.
With that said, I'm going to trust Holmes' judgement when it comes to the draft. If the Lions select a signal-caller in the first round, it's because the Lions' GM feels good about him.
Chirco: I'm going to say no. I don't think Brad Holmes views the quarterback position as a big enough need for Detroit, and I also don't think either of the draft's top two passers -- Alabama's Bryce Young and Ohio State's C.J. Stroud -- will be available at No. 6 overall.
I think Holmes instead will opt for taking the best player available -- based on his personal draft board -- with both the No. 6 and No. 18 overall selections. And, I believe that will lead him to taking a defensive player with the sixth pick (i.e. Georgia's Jalen Carter, Illinois' Devon Witherspoon or Oregon's Christian Gonzalez) and a can't-miss, non-QB offensive prospect with the 18th pick (i.e. Texas' Bijan Robinson).
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4.) What is the best-and-worst-case scenario for the Lions in the draft?
Booher: I think the best-case scenario is that the Lions walk away from the first round with two premium defensive talents. Best case, the team finds a way to make Will Anderson a member of the team, and later adds a top-tier member to its secondary.
The worst-case scenario would be the teams picking before the Lions passing on the draft's quarterbacks, in favor of said defensive talents. With two top quarterbacks available at No. 6 and no team willing to trade up, the Lions are forced to make a move for a cornerback.
In that case, Detroit would still get a good player. However, this would mean that EDGE rushers, such as Anderson and Tyree Wilson, are both gone.
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Chirco: I believe the most feasible best-case scenario for the Lions is Carter falling into the laps of Holmes & Co. at No. 6.
If such occurs, Detroit would be grabbing not only the second-best defensive prospect in this year's class -- and arguably the best, based on which talent evaluator you're asking -- but also undoubtedly the 2023 draft's best interior defensive lineman. The Georgia defensive tackle would provide an immediate boost to the Lions' run-stopping and pass-rushing efforts along the defensive line, and elevate the quality of play of Detroit's defense as a whole in 2023.
Now, to me, the best-case scenario for the Lions at No. 18 would be the team drafting Robinson or Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. If drafted by Detroit, I believe that both players would help make their respective position group a strength.
As for the worst-case scenario, I believe it would be the Lions' front office overvaluing a signal-caller not named Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud and wasting a pick on one of the said quarterbacks (i.e. Kentucky's Will Levis or Florida's Anthony Richardson) at No. 6.
5.) Who are the Lions drafting in the first round this year?
Booher: My gut tells me Tyree Wilson is the pick, if he's available at six. He's a talented rusher who would fit very well next to Aidan Hutchinson.
Moving to No. 18, I think secondary is the target. Joey Porter Jr. would be a good fit, while Brian Branch has positional versatility. A wild card would be Emmanuel Forbes, as he's a defensive playmaker who would fit Aaron Glenn's style.
Chirco: As of right now, I'm going to go with Witherspoon (at No. 6) and Robinson (whether it be at No. 18 or the Lions trading up from the 18th pick to get him).
Due to the Jameson Williams suspension, I think that Holmes & Co. are going to especially consider drafting an offensive talent in the first round. I can envision the team taking a hard look at drafting a receiver (i.e. TCU's Quentin Johnston or Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba). However, I think it will end up opting to strengthen its running backs room via the selection of Robinson, the consensus No. 1 back in this year's draft class.
