NFL

Every NFL Team's 2017 Draft Needs Based on Analytics

Joe Redemann  —  @TheIDPGuy Feb 27th, 2017
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Detroit Lions

Top Needs: IOL, DE, DT, ILB

The Detroit Lions’ running game has not been present, thanks to both the injury bug and the interior offensive line play. Guard Laken Tomlinson took a huge step back in 2016, and this unit ranked sixth-worst in Rushing Success Rate.

The real concern is on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive tackles Haloti Ngata and A'Shawn Robinson were atrocious at defending the run, and linebackers Tahir Whitehead and Josh Bynes are not even league-average talents. This debacle ended up as the 11th-worst rate by Adjusted Defensive Rushing NEP per play.

The good play of the secondary -- excepting slot cornerback Quandre Diggs -- was undone by absolutely no pressure upfront either; defensive end Ezekiel Ansah had a down year and Devin Taylor was a mess too. The Lions were second-worst in Adjusted Passing NEP per play.

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