Lions currently sowed up the 8th overall pick

[Gulf of Brazil]

So instead of just waiting for him to hit free agency. We released him early and got nothing? Don't tell me that is true.

We wouldn't have received anything for anyways. We'll be signing more FA's this year again than we lose and besides a comp pick wouldn't be awarded until 2020. Loss of FA's this had Ebron stayed would've been him Tate, Ansah and maybe possible cuts in N. Lawson, TJ Lang, T. Wilson.

 

[Rollingthndr]

We wouldn't have received anything for anyways. We'll be signing more FA's this year again than we lose and besides a comp pick wouldn't be awarded until 2020. Loss of FA's this had Ebron stayed would've been him Tate, Ansah and maybe possible cuts in N. Lawson, TJ Lang, T. Wilson.

None of that matters. They should give us picks just cause they feel sorry for us being Lions fans all these years.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

The 101 best players in college football from 2018 | NFL Draft news and analysis | Pro Football Focus

link still doesn't work

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

3. Christian Wilkins, Defensive Interior, Clemson

Few were as disruptive as Wilkins in 2018 and perhaps the only man who truly was is just above him on this list. Wilkins finished with the third-highest pass-rush grade and run-defense grade as he was equally impressive in both facets for the Tigers during their 15-0 season. Arguably the most enticing figure for the big man as he prepares for the next step of his football playing career was the fact that he recorded 46 QB pressures, 39 defensive stops, 36 solo tackles and did so with missing just one single tackle attempt this year.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

4. Josh Allen, Edge Defender, Kentucky

This one is easy: Josh Allen got home with a pressure on 23.4% of his pass-rush snaps this season – the best mark of any defensive player who rushed the passer at least 200 times this year. He tallied 57 pressures on just 244 pass-rushes and his outstanding pass-rush productivity of 30.3 was 3.5 percentage points higher than the next closest player. He was far and away the best pass-rusher this season regardless of position but that’s not even the half of what he did well. He dropped back in coverage with great success (81.9 grade) and made 51 total defensive stops and missed just four tackles out of 69 attempts. All in all, Allen’s performance not only cemented him as the best edge defender this season, but it also vaulted him up draft boards and should make him more than a recognizable figure come April.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

6. Andy Isabella, Wide Receiver, UMass

We at Pro Football Focus didn’t think there was a better season by a receiver all year long and our vote for the Biletnikoff Award went to Isabella. All he did in 2018 was lead the nation in overall grade (93.2), receiving grade (93.8), yards (1,695) and combined first-down and touchdown receptions (68). He was a threat with the ball in his hands just as much as he was a threat to get open even against the best competition, something he put on display against Georgia in UMass’ biggest game of the season. Against the vaunted Bulldogs secondary, Isabella went for 15 receptions, 219 yards, four first downs and two touchdowns. It wasn’t just against the second-stringers that Georgia put on the field either, he hauled in both receptions when he went one-on-one against Deandre Baker, all four passes against Richard Lecounte and even bested freshman sensation Tyson Campbell for an 11-yard gain. Isabella deserved the praise of the highest extent and was more than deserving of all his accolades.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

^^^^^^

Isabella would be a great addition for the Lions and not just as a solely slot wr

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

7. Byron Murphy, Cornerback, Washington

It’s been said before but can be said again, Murphy’s prowess in coverage can be summed up with one performance this season, and that came against Utah in the Pac-12 Championship. From his cornerback position, Murphy was the only player to see the end zone as he recorded a Pick-6 for the game’s only touchdown in the Huskies win over the Utes. With that in mind, Murphy was more than just a one-game sensation as he was targeted 62 times, yet allowed just 78 total yards after the catch in his coverage. He broke up 13 passes to go along with his four interceptions and saw a 54.5 passer rating when targeted.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

^^^^^

Murphy is my #1 rated CB

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

12. Ben Burr-Kirven, Linebacker, Washington

No linebacker made more tackles in PFF’s more effective tackle tracking than Burr-Kirven, registering 116 solo tackles and an additional 44 assists. Unsurprisingly, he recorded a massive 60 defensive stops and forced three fumbles, showing off his range across the field for the Huskies in 2018. Tasked with blitzing the passer just 51 times, BBK was also able to bring in a more-than-respectable 19 QB pressures that included three sacks. All told, his 91.6 overall grade was more than warranted by looking just at the box score – but his play on the field and effect he placed on the game was even more apparent this year.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

^^^^^^

Burr-Kirven is considered small but so was David, Shazier.

He reads his keys correctly and is consistently around the ball. speed to sift through the trash and solid coverage instincts.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

14. Jeffery Simmons, Defensive Interior, Mississippi State

Disruption starts up front and that’s just what Simmons did on a regular basis for the Bulldogs this year. He slid off blocks in the run game just as easy as he passed by offensive linemen on the pass-rush – all of which led to the fourth-highest grade from an interior defensive lineman in the country. Mistakes were far and few between from Simmons’ game tape as he missed just four of his 52 tackle attempts while 31 of his 35 solo tackles went down as a defensive stop.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

^^^^^

Simmons is 2nd on my list for DT only behind Q. Williams and C. Wilkins isn't behind him by much

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

17. Devin White, Linebacker, LSU

White was a disruptive force for the Tigers in 2018 and despite missing 15 tackle attempts this year, still grabs a spot in the top 20 after coming away with 33 QB pressures. 56 defensive stops and three pass breakups in coverage to select but a few statistics to highlight. White flew across the field for LSU’s defense and routinely chased down plays on opposite sides of the field showcasing what could be easily classified as elite speed at the linebacker position.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

^^^^^

The one area that bothers me most about White, which reminds me of J. Davis, are those missed tackles. White is better than what Davis was in CFB but he isn't anywhere near as good as Roquan Smith or Rashaan Evans or former Tiger LB Deion Jones in coverage.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

19. Jachai Polite, Edge Defender, Florida

There may not have been a bigger breakout year from an edge rusher this season than Polite’s time with the Gators in 2018. He finishes tied with the fourth-highest grade as he recorded 41 pressures on just 272 pass-rushes. He won on 18.0% of his pass-rushes and recorded a pass-rush productivity of 20.4, the latter ranking in the top 15 at the position. Of his 28 solo tackles on the year, a whopping 23 of them went down as a defensive stop showing just how disruptive he was on an every-down basis when he was on the field.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

23. Deandre Baker, Cornerback, Georgia

Baker hasn’t allowed a touchdown in coverage since Georgia’s bowl game against TCU during the 2016 season as this past year was just another year of shutdown football from the Bulldog stalwart. He allowed fewer than 50.0% of passes thrown his way to be caught and was arguably the best at limited receivers after the catch, to the tune of just 31 YAC allowed.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

27. Brian Peavy, Cornerback, Iowa State

Cyclone fans were treated to one final year of Peavy manning one side of the field after he opted to return for his final season instead of entering last year’s draft. For a stretch this season, Peavy was the top-graded cornerback and he still finished tied for third overall at 90.9. He put forth an outrageous effort in coverage this season, seeing 59 targeted passes come his way while allowing just 31 receptions. He grabbed only one interception in the box score but he broke up seven more and allowed a reception over 20 yards just two times this year.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

^^^^^

Peavy should go later on somewhere around late 3rd to 4th but he has been outstanding as an outside CB. I like him better at slot/nickel CB but he might just have it to play outside in the NFL.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

8. Te’von Coney, Linebacker, Notre Dame

Solid across the board, Coney joins Woodward as the only two linebackers to field 90.0-plus graded in run defense, tackling, coverage and overall grade this season. His identical 91.5 facet grades in run defense and tackling efficiency show how strong he was in stopping the opponent’s rushing attack while his 90.5 coverage grade depicts just how well he stymied the opposing passing attack over the middle. He allowed just 51.4% of targets thrown his way to be caught and saw just a 50.7 passer rating on those throws.