Three Prospects Rumored to the Lions That Are Being Overrated

Every year, several prospects get unwarranted hype during the off-season draft process, and the Lions are rumored to be looking at a few of them. These prospects may be becoming overrated by the media due to the combine, pro days, or just analysts running out of ideas and trying to stir up different possibilities. Today we will be talking about why these prospects are being overrated, and why the Lions shouldn’t take them where the media is projecting them.

One- Calijah Kancey, Defensive Tackle Pitt

The number one reason Kancey is being overrated amongst media and Lions fans is his athleticism at the combine, showing some decent upside. Kancey scored a 9.59 RAS (Relative Athletic Score) out of 10 during the off-season draft process, including a 4.87-second 40-yard dash which is one of the best for a defensive tackle in NFL Combine history. Due to this, Kancey has drawn many comparisons to Aaron Donald due to the fact that they are both undersized defensive tackles out of Pitt that performed extremely well at the combine. This comparison has been taken a little too seriously by NFL Media as they are projecting him to the Detroit Lions all the way up at pick 18, which if you watch his tape at Pitt seems a little high. 

The best reason Detroit should not take Kancey this high is that from what his tape showed he is purely a pass-rushing defensive tackle, which is not what the Lions need. While yes, the Lions’ biggest need is a defensive tackle, Detroit needs a defensive tackle who can defend the run and Kancey struggles with that because of how small he is. Detroit was one of the worst teams in run defense last season, so if they want to improve upon that they need a space-eater and quick block shedder. Kancey’s size and lack of run defense don’t warrant the 18th overall pick, however, if they could get him in the second like originally projected he would be a good pick.

Two- Anthony Richardson, Quarterback Florida

Anthony Richardson is another player who benefited heavily from the NFL Draft Combine and his pro day. Everyone knew going into the off-season that Richardson was incredibly gifted athletically but has many concerns with his accuracy and development as a passer, then he has a great combine and everyone starts overreacting. Richardson was expected to have a great combine and he did, breaking many records for QBs and putting up a perfect RAS of 10, but the combine shouldn’t shoot someone’s draft stock as much as it did for Richardson. Richardson was a consensus top late first-round prospect with people knowing how athletic he was, then all of a sudden when he shows us what we already knew he is a top-three pick.

The Lions know they have a quarterback that can take them to the Superbowl and know they need a few more defensive pieces to be considered a Superbowl contender, yet many want them to give up their draft picks to move up and get Richardson. If the Lions were to do this it would likely set their franchise back many years, as they wouldn’t add the necessary defensive pieces to compete and Richardson has a high bust percentage, so even if he hits who knows where the team will be by the time he’s ready. On top of that, Dan Campell said himself that they don’t evaluate players without pads at the combine, but rather what their tape says and how they do in their interviews with the team.

Three- Darnell Wright, Offensive Tackle Tennesee

Wight isn’t being overrated in the fact that his skill doesn’t show up on the tape, or that he is a boom-or-bust player, but it’s where the Lions’ needs are at the moment. Wright is a fantastic prospect that can play almost anywhere across the offensive line, but projecting him to Detroit at 18 feels like a luxury pick when they could be filling a bigger need on the defensive side of the ball with this pick. Guard is maybe fourth on the list of Detroit’s biggest needs, with defensive tackle and corner firmly above it, and is where the Lions should probably go with pick 18 rather than the offensive line.