Dan Leach: Instant Reaction To Lions Draft Pick Of Taylor Decker
By Dan Leach -- follow on twitter @danleach971
It wasn't the sexy pick that DE Shaq Lawson would have been and it wasn't the shocker of being able to take a top 5 talent in Laremy Tunsil if he fell to No. 16 with the gas masked bong hacked pic phone festival, but I have been saying for a couple of weeks that if either Taylor Decker or MSU OT Jack Conklin were available at No. 16 the Lions had to take a serious look as they need to continue to build that offensive line that has been an issue seemingly for years.
This shows that Bob Quinn, whether Lions fans like it or not , believes in Matthew Stafford, who was sacked 44 times last year, at least for now and knows he needs better protection. The Lions also had the worst rushing attack in the NFL and Decker can be an instant help to that glaring need.
Decker was a three-year starter at OSU , 14 games at RT in 2013 and 28 games at LT in '14 and '15.
This gives the Lions the ability to play him at RT or move Reiley Reiff , who, let's be honest, hasn't been what Detroit thought he would be so far, to RT and play Decker at LT. Many have compared him to former Michigan lineman and longtime NFL starter Jon Runyan and has a high level of leadership ability which the Lions sorely need.
Decker likely will play at RT though as he is more suited for it , but it does give the Lions options as Decker is known for his versatility.
I give this pick a solid A- and feel that Bob Quinn made a safe, but smart pick at No. 16 as he tries to build this team from the inside out.
I wanted Lawson when he was available at No. 16 , but even from this ardent Wolverine fan, as hard as it is to ever cheer for a Buckeye, I have no issue doing it in this case as it helps a position of true need for Detroit.
What instant grade would you give Bob Quinn's first ever NFL Draft pick as a general manager?
