Detroit Free Press

Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett grades the Detroit Lions‘ 2021 NFL draft class. Best pick: Penei Sewell At the risk of being Mr. Obvious, this is an easy call. Sewell was the best offensive lineman in the draft and one of three elite non-quarterbacks available. The Lions, in need of blue-chip talent, did the

The Detroit Lions traded up to pick Derrick Barnes, a linebacker from Purdue, at No. 113 overall in the 2021 NFL draft on Saturday. One pick earlier at No. 112, the Lions took Amon-Ra St. Brown, a receiver from USC, with the seventh pick in the fourth round to open Day 3. Barnes is a senior from Covington,

Fifteen receivers came off the board in the first three rounds of the 2021 NFL draft, and there is a good chance another 15-plus will come off the board on Day 3 Saturday. The Detroit Lions spent the first two days of the draft adding size upfront on both lines and getting help for their

Brad Holmes told you. He was clear as water when he said it. The. Best. Player. Available. That’s the philosophy of the Detroit Lions new general manager. He showed this again Friday night, during Rounds 2 and 3 of the NFL draft. Select a defensive tackle in the second round? Cool. The Lions could use one.

Here’s what ESPN’s NFL draft analysts said after the Detroit Lions picked Syracuse cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft on Friday: Mel Kiper Jr. “He’s a guy who has that length and turning motion and ability to get in and out and hang with those speedy receivers. He showed

Free Press sports writer Carlos Monarrez grades the Lions‘ third-round pick of Syracuse cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu at No. 101 overall on Day 2 of the 2021 NFL draft Friday. Grade: B The reason: The Lions finally ended their lock on linemen and picked a player with lots of upside at a position of need. A receiver or linebacker might have

Free Press sports writer Carlos Monarrez grades the Detroit Lions‘ third-round pick of North Carolina State defensive tackle Alim McNeill at No. 72 overall on Day 2 of the 2021 NFL draft Friday. Grade: D The reason: Guys, what are we doing? Three straight linemen — and two straight defensive tackles? No knock on McNeill, who sounds like an athletic-but-stout and

The Detroit Lions took the player widely regarded as the best offensive lineman in this year’s NFL draft when they selected Penei Sewell with the No. 7 overall pick on Thursday. But Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said Sewell’s ultimate ceiling is something much higher. “He’s a generational player,” Cristobal said in a video conference with Detroit

The Detroit Lions took the most talented player available to them in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night. In doing so, the team doubled down on its one surefire area of strength. Then celebrated wildly in the draft room. For now, know that the new regime in Allen Park didn’t gamble, didn’t overthink, didn’t do anything other

CLEVELAND – Their offensive line is set, but don’t tell that to Brad Holmes. After taking Penei Sewell with the No. 7 overall pick Thursday, the Detroit Lions have six starting-caliber linemen to build a wall in front of quarterback Jared Goff. They need more weapons for their offense, and they need help all over

Show Caption Hide Caption Penei Sewell: Detroit Lions’ 2021 NFL draft first-round pick Get to know the Detroit Lions’ 2021 NFL draft first-round pick, Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell. Wochit CLEVELAND – They hired a blocking tight end who will bite off your kneecaps as head coach and gave play-calling duties to an ex-running back

Welcome to the 2021 NFL draft, three days full of celebrations, overreactions, debates, wrong predictions and much more. Follow along for live updates and a draft tracker below. The Detroit Lions have the seventh pick as they begin a new direction under general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell. Here are three ways they

If you go by some of the qualities the Detroit Lions have outlined for the players they want, Penei Sewell certainly checks the boxes on toughness and passion. The Lions picked the Oregon offensive lineman No. 7 overall Thursday in the NFL draft and the 6-foot-6, 330-pounder already sounds like a disciple of general manager

The Detroit Lions have gaping holes all over their roster. They have a horrible defense — one of the worst in franchise history. And they desperately need playmakers. The team’s singular strength? A young, solid offensive line, mainly because it’s the one place where they have already poured money and first-round draft picks. So what did

You’ve heard this story before. “The Detroit Lions have a top-10 pick in the upcoming NFL draft.” The Lions are slated to pick from the No. 7 spot, but it’s what is around the Lions that makes everything so interesting. FINAL FREEP MOCK DRAFT: QBs rule the draft, pushing pass catcher down to Lions COLUMN: Meet

Show Caption Hide Caption Former Michigan football player Camaron Cheeseman talks NFL draft with Dave Birkett Former Michigan football long snapper Camaron Cheeseman talked NFL draft preparation and more Detroit Lions chatter on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press The players may have changed in my mock drafts for the Detroit Lions

Welcome to the 2021 NFL draft, three days full of celebrations, overreactions, debates, wrong predictions and much more. Follow along for live updates and a draft tracker below. The Detroit Lions have the seventh pick as they begin a new direction under general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell. Here are three ways they

Show Caption Hide Caption Detroit Lions, NFL go to 17-game schedule, but is it all worth it? Dave Birkett, Carlos Monarrez and Shawn Windsor share their thoughts on NFL adding a 17th game to the schedule and more Detroit Lions news, March 30. Dave Birkett, Carlos Monarrez and Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press And so

Brad Holmes was a young area scout working in the all-important southeast region when then-St. Louis Rams general manager Billy Devaney gathered his personnel department in a conference room at team headquarters one day in training camp 2009. The Rams were coming off a 3-13 season, one of the worst teams in the NFL, and

Show Caption Hide Caption 2021 NFL draft: Will these prospects boom or bust? USA Today Sports’ Mackenzie Salmon breaks down the potential for three 2021 NFL draft prospects. USA TODAY The bro hugs are back. Yes, the 2021 NFL draft is mere hours away, which means the Detroit Lions will soon be on the clock.  Unless, of