After trench work, Lions will look to ‘skill guys’ on Day 3
Allen Park — Build the trenches. Build the trenches. Build the trenches.
Bob Quinn’s plans for his first draft as Lions general manager became incredibly transparent Thursday and Friday as the Lions selected two offensive linemen and a defensive tackle in the first three rounds.
Looking ahead to Saturday and Rounds 4 through 7, though, Quinn said the Lions could start to look at some players that are less than 300 pounds.
“We want to maybe take some skill guys since we took some big guys,” he said Friday night of his plans for Saturday. “We’ll see.”
Quinn planned to meet with his personnel staff Friday night and then revisit again Saturday morning before the start of the fourth round, but so far, the Lions are pleased with their selections — Ohio State offensive tackle Taylor Decker, Alabama defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson and Michigan center Graham Glasgow.
“We had a great second day of the draft,” Quinn said before discussing the selections of Robinson, 46th overall, and Glasgow, 95th overall.
Alabama’s Robinson a huge addition to Lions’ DL
For the Lions, upgrading both lines was a logical step to try to improve the team. Quarterback Matthew Stafford took 89 sacks the past two seasons, and the Lions ranked 32nd in rushing in 2015. Defensively, the Lions struggled to stop the run in the first half of last season, and even though they improved in the second half, there was still a long-term need at defensive tackle.
“You win football games in the trenches, and you’ve got to have big, strong, tough, durable, versatile guys in there,” Quinn said.
With some more pieces up front, the Lions can start looking at players who can help on the perimeter, and he thinks there are players still on the board at several positions that can contribute to the team in 2016. The Lions could still use help at safety, wide receiver and linebacker, among other spots, but Quinn said he’s still planning on taking the best-player-available approach on Day 3.
“You name the position, and if the guy’s high enough on the board, I’m not going to hesitate taking him tomorrow,” he said Friday.
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