ALLEN PARK \u2014 Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes made it clear Friday that no matter the team\u2019s positional needs, they are going to draft the highest-rated player available on their personal board.<\/p>\n
That philosophy was evident by their decision to pass on several coveted edge rushers on Day 2, opting instead to move up and select Georgia guard Tate Ratledge and Arkansas wide receiver \u2014 and Hudsonville native \u2014 Isaac TeSlaa.<\/p>\n
As of the end of Day 2, the Lions hold five picks in the final rounds: No. 182 (sixth round), No. 196 (sixth), No. 228 (seventh), No. 230 (seventh), and No. 244 (seventh).<\/p>\n
With quality talent still available to address some lingering needs, it seems unlikely Holmes \u2014 who has shown a tendency to move up in drafts \u2014 will simply stand pat on Day 3. Fans should expect some action.<\/p>\n
That said, here are seven names MLive has identified as potential fits for the Lions, should they stay where they are, with Holmes\u2019 consistent emphasis on finding the right fit for Detroit in mind:<\/p>\n
Malachi Moore, S, Alabama<\/p>\n
A versatile defender who models his game after former teammate and current Lions defensive back Brian Branch. Much like Branch, Moore can play safety, nickel, or cornerback if needed. Safety depth remains thin for Detroit, and this \u201cBama Boy\u201d could get the job done.<\/p>\n
Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota<\/p>\n
Lindenberg is a two-time All-Big Ten selection who plays with his hair on fire. Linebacker isn\u2019t a pressing need for Detroit, but Holmes drafts for fit over need. Lindenberg is a tackling machine who excels as an off-ball linebacker and has impressive quickness that helps him close gaps.<\/p>\n
Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers<\/p>\n
Running back isn\u2019t a major need for the Lions, but Monangai\u2019s upside is hard to ignore. He\u2019s an explosive runner with great vision and isn\u2019t afraid to plow through defenders. He would be a project pick for running backs coach Tashard Choice but could eventually offer more as a RB3 than Craig Reynolds currently provides.<\/p>\n
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, EDGE, Virginia Tech<\/p>\n
It\u2019s unclear how much Powell-Ryland fits what the Lions are looking for, but Pro Football Focus describes him as \u201ca little scheme-specific due to his measurables,\u201d though he has the pass-rush speed and acumen to become a rotational outside linebacker capable of making impact plays. If available, he could be worth a flier as a developmental piece.<\/p>\n
Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina<\/p>\n
The Flint-born prospect is also experiencing a surprising free fall. NFL.com gave Kennard a 6.17 grade, projecting him as \u201ca good backup with the potential to develop into a starter.\u201d With the Lions\u2019 current draft capital, they\u2019d likely have to move up to grab him. Then again, this year\u2019s board has been unpredictable with several names. Kennard was once projected as a Day 2 pick, so landing him on Day 3 could be a major steal.<\/p>\n
Craig Woodson, S, Cal<\/p>\n
Woodson earned an 88.6 coverage grade and an 85.6 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus. Viewed as an above-average backup safety, he could help shore up Detroit\u2019s thin safety room. He also brings value on special teams, a critical area for late-round picks.<\/p>\n
Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State<\/p>\n
Reed is another physical safety, known for his ability as a run defender and for his gritty style of play. He\u2019s not quite at the level of Ifeatu Melifonwu, but he\u2019s a player the Lions could draft and develop. His highlights show a physical, no-nonsense approach \u2014 traits that have thrived under the current regime.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"ALLEN PARK \u2014 Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes made it clear Friday that no matter the team\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12174,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2071],"tags":[7135,146,113,2506,7,4151,147,6,7136,326,790],"class_list":{"0":"post-12173","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-detroit-lions","8":"tag-cromson-tide","9":"tag-detroit","10":"tag-detroit-lions","11":"tag-detroitlions","12":"tag-football","13":"tag-iron-bowl","14":"tag-lions","15":"tag-nfl","16":"tag-saban-field","17":"tag-sec","18":"tag-tigers"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/114426324442176301","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12173"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12173\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}