2015 NFL Draft Grades After Week 10
Aug 13, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions offensive guard Laken Tomlinson (72) blocks New York Jets defensive tackle Deon Simon (65) during the third quarter in a preseason NFL football game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
LAKEN TOMLISON. D. <p>Protecting quarterback Matthew Stafford is obviously of the highest priority the Detriot Lions. But at the same time, the Lions want to run the ball more so Stafford doesn’t have to do as much. So it was no surprise when they took No. 1 guard prospect Laken Tomlinson with the No. 28 overall pick.</p> <p>But so far this season, that pick doesn’t seem to be working out very well for the Lions. The 6’3″, 325-pounder out of Duke has been a not-too-bad pass-protector and as a run-blocker, very bad. Tomlinson didn’t win a starting job right away but started opening day for Larry Warford, who had a high ankle sprain.</p> <p>Manny Ramirez then moved from left to right guard and and when Warford came back, Ramirez went to the bench. As physical and athletic as Warford is, it’s surprising that run-blocking is what he struggles with the most. That’s not what the Lions were looking for when they took him in the first round.</p>. OG. Clemson Tigers
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