NFL Draft Predictions and Odds
Detroit wouldn’t have traded Matthew Stafford if they didn’t think that they were going to benefit, although how long are these recently-rejuvenated fans willing to sit around and watch another rebuild? 3-13-1 wasn’t the record that Detroit was looking for, and while they did have glimmers of hope, there are still questions to be answered. Sportsmemo handicapper JM Sports takes a look at the Detroit Lions’ draft options and odds.
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Detroit Lions’ Offseason Report
Jared Goff needs options to throw the ball to, but is he truly the answer this franchise was looking for? As far as coaching goes, Detroit hasn’t made any drastic changes this offseason, besides the promotion for Ben Johnson, moving away from the tight end coach for the Lions and becoming the teams new offensive coordinator.
The Lions really didn’t lose much this off-season, which is a good sign for a team that needs to consistently improve. They did lose Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who ended the 2021 season as their third-leading tackler, and tied for the team lead in forced fumbles. Nick Williams, who was one of just two defensive players on the Lion’s team last year that started all 17 games, has also departed. Outside of those two players, the losses were minimal, losing WR KhaDarel Hodge, LB Trey Flowers and S Dean Marlowe.
Yet, Detroit was almost equally as quiet with the offseason acquisitions. They did add one of their biggest names at wide receiver in DJ Chark. While he had some injury concerns last season, he has the potential of being something special at the wide-out position for Goff, attacking one of their biggest needs in the roster. The Lions also added TE Garrett Griffin, LBs Chris Board and Jarrad Davis, CB Mike Hughes and S DeShon Elliott.
Odds to be Taken as the No. 2 Pick | Courtesy of Caesars as of April 25 |
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Aidan Hutchinson | -200 |
Kayvon Thibodeaux | +275 |
Travon Walker | +500 |
Malik Willis | +1500 |
Ahmad Gardner | +1500 |
Detroit Lions’ Draft Options
When you look at the options going into this draft, Detroit has a couple different routes they could take. QB is a definite need for the team, but after the arrival of Goff, is it too early to give up on that hope? WR is another big need, even with the acquisition of DJ Chark, the Lions could look for another weapon to bolster the passing game. There is also a void to be filled at LB (especially in terms of athleticism), CB and on the O-Line.
Although for a team in rebuild mode, going after the best available player is also something to take into consideration, as well as potentially trading back in the first round.
Travon Walker from Georgia has climbed up the draft boards since his impressive combine performance, he is 6-5 and 272 and just about as explosive as it gets. He wins the battle with athleticism and power and that is something that could benefit this defense.
I believe the Lions could look to trade back. At this position in the draft, the Lions have two options in my opinion, go after the best available player (regardless of need) or trade back.
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The Opening Line Report | 2022 NFL Draft Preview
The NFL Draft heads to Las Vegas this week, and the betting markets have been on the move this morning. In this week’s edition of The Opening Line Report, Teddy Covers and Drew Martin discuss a handful of topics from the betting sphere, followed by some live Q&A with viewers about their handicapping process and life in Las Vegas.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgFyFUO9rTg[/embedyt]
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Meet the Author
Jeff’s hunger for handicapping began at a young age being surrounded by parents that made sports betting a daily routine. Hoping to follow in the footsteps of other Cleveland handicappers like Marc Lawrence, Phil Steele, Ralph Michaels, Ed Meyer and Bryan Leonard, Jeff started his sports betting career working for both Northcoast Sports and Phil Steele Publications learning the intricacies of sports betting and becoming a profitable handicapper. Through out his college years, Jeff’s mathematical and analytical prowess helped him develop a betting strategy that turned sports betting into a profitable venture, where he focuses on the NFL, college football, NBA, college basketball and MLB while showing strong results in the WNBA.
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