With The First Pick
Fansided

2019 NFL Draft Do-Overs: NFC North

By Bryan Perez

ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 08: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts to a sack against the Western Michigan Broncos at Michigan Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 08: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts to a sack against the Western Michigan Broncos at Michigan Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, IN – OCTOBER 13: T.J. Hockenson #38 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs for a touchdown against the Indiana Hossiers at Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – OCTOBER 13: T.J. Hockenson #38 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs for a touchdown against the Indiana Hossiers at Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Detroit Lions

The Lions, unlike the Packers, did go with a tight end in the first round, but also unlike the Packers, they aren’t a team that’s a tight end away from being a truly dominant offense. Instead, Detroit should’ve focused on the defensive side of the ball, where an elite linebacker from the state of Michigan was staring them squarely in the eyes.

Devin Bush, who came off the board two picks later to the Steelers after Pittsburgh’s aggressive trade up to land him, would’ve been an instant fan-favorite and immediate leader for Detroit’s defense. He’s arguably the most talented all-around football player in the class and he could’ve provided the Lions with a sideline-to-sideline thumper the likes of which the franchise hasn’t had since the days of Chris Spielman.

T.J. Hockenson is a fine prospect and is going to have a long and productive career. But he doesn’t profile as the kind of game-changing weapon required for top-10 status.

Detroit missed a golden opportunity to land that kind of game-changer in Bush.

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