With The First Pick
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2019 NFL Draft: 5 free-agent moves that could impact 1st round

By Bryan Perez

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 21: Wide Receiver John Brown #13 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 21: Wide Receiver John Brown #13 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Lions sign TE Jesse James to four-year, $28.5 million deal

PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 08: Jesse James #81 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after a 8 yard touchdown reception during the third quarter in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field on November 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 08: Jesse James #81 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after a 8 yard touchdown reception during the third quarter in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field on November 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

On its face, it would appear that the Lions’ addition of Jesse James would have little impact on what they do in the NFL Draft, but that’s if you didn’t believe Detroit was going to use their first-round pick on a tight end like, say, Iowa’s T.J. Hockenson or Noah Fant.

I’m of the belief there was a very, very good chance Detroit would’ve considered tight end with their first pick (No. 8 overall) if they weren’t able to add a starter in free agency. James is a solid, if not unspectacular player who will be just fine as a starter for the Lions over the next few seasons. And at more than $7 million per season, it seems highly unlikely Detroit will double-dip at the position in Round 1.

That doesn’t mean the Lions will ignore the position in the draft altogether, however. The tight end class is extremely deep and Detroit is a good candidate to scoop one up — one that’s more capable in the passing game like Texas A&M’s Jace Sternberger — in the second round.

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