Detroit Lions Land ELITE Defender
In an imaginative exercise by Bleacher Report, NFL franchises revisited their draft choices from the past five years, reselecting players based on their performance and potential impact. The Detroit Lions, who faced the departure of Penei Sewell, Aidan Hutchinson, and Amon-Ra St. Brown in the re-draft, secured one of the most promising defensive talents in the league, Will Anderson Jr.
With the hypothetical re-draft encompassing selections from 2020 to 2024, teams were given the opportunity to either correct past mistakes or double down on successful picks. The Lions, finding themselves at the 19th pick, faced a critical decision after losing two cornerstone players, Penei Sewell and Aidan Hutchinson. Their options were open, but the need for a high-impact defender was palpable.
Selection of Will Anderson Jr.
Choosing Will Anderson Jr., who was the third overall pick in 2023 and crowned Defensive Rookie of the Year, was almost a no-brainer for the Lions. Anderson’s rookie stats were nothing short of impressive, with 22 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for loss, and seven sacks. His potential for growth is seen as monumental, with expectations that his sack numbers will surge into double digits in his upcoming sophomore year.
