Lions: 3 options with 7th overall pick in 2021 NFL Draft

What should the Detroit Lions do with the 7th overall pick?

Since 2017, when the Lions finished 9-7 for second in the NFC North but fired then head coach Jim Caldwell, the team swiftly returned to its seemingly traditional subpar play. Heading into the 2020 regular season, there were rumblings of former head coach Matt Patricia being shown the door if the Detroit Lions did not show significant improvement.

There were also rumblings of apparent discord between Patricia and the roster, which were confirmed when Patricia was finally fired. The change was necessary, to include the firing of former general manager Bob Quinn, after the Lions posted three straight seasons with double-digit losses to pair with player dissatisfaction.

Now, the Lions are fully vested into the process of interviewing for both the GM and head coach positions. Rumors swirl about potential candidates but whoever is hired faces a bit of an uphill climb to give the Lions what they have lacked for quite a while. They have missed the playoffs since 2016, and have not won a postseason game since 1991. Too many misses on draft picks, signings and coaching picks have hampered this team’s potential.

But there are positives: Matthew Stafford has long been the face of the franchise and a class act for the city of Detroit, but his play has hardly diminished. The team features some young yet promising talents like T.J. Hockenson, second-team All-Pro center Frank Ragnow, recently drafted Jeff Okudah, and running back D’Andre Swift. Now, the Lions are armed with the 7th overall selection. What positions should they focus on? What should they do? There are a host of options on the table.