Caputo: 3 Reasons The Lions Shouldn't Select An Offensive Tackle With Their 1st Round NFL Draft Pick
By: Pat Caputo
1. So longtime left tackle Jeff Backus has retired. Isn't one of the major reasons the Lions sold their fan base on tackle Riley Reiff as their first-round NFL Draft pick last year because he would be the eventual replacement for Backus?
2. Arguably the two best offensive tackles selected in the NFL Draft the previous six years were Jake Long by Miami and Joe Thomas by Cleveland. What did they win the Dolphins and the Browns? This is not to suggest offensive left tackle isn't an important position. It is. But it doesn't mean much if a team is lacking playmakers defensively.
3. The Lions need a speedy edge pass rusher badly. They are also lacking at cornerback. They have the fifth overall pick in the first round, and there are numerous outstanding players at those two positions, who will be available when the Lions make their selection. It's time the Lions start valuing defense in the draft. It is the key to becoming a legitimate Super Bowl championship contender.
