(05-02-2021, 03:06 PM)Bullseye Wrote:

(05-02-2021, 02:58 PM)D6 Wrote: Thanks!

Though I think the 2021 season will be more of a building block for the Lions, the direction that new GM Brad Holmes and HC Dan Campbell have the Lions going in is very encouraging.  

While I was hoping Dyami Brown would be one of the Lions Day 2 picks, the discipline that Holmes and Co. demonstrated by taking two straight DTs on Day 2 is something that I greatly respect.  I now have a high degree of confidence that Holmes won't be reaching for players, to prioritize filling short term needs.

It shows a clear plan to building the Lions.

For the Lions' sake, I hope management has the patience to let it materialize. 

The Lions are not far from making noise in that division, especially if Rodgers is out of the picture.

I can easily see the Jaguars passing the Texans.  Since the Colts inexplicably passed on Darrisaw when he fell to them, it makes the chances of Wentz salvaging his career lower, which makes it more possible the Jaguars can pass them in the near future.

One reason why I am optimistic the Lions highest levels of the organization will be patient is the addition of Chris Spielman as a full time special advisor. Chris Spielman was getting heavily criticized on Twitter ( among other places )  during the 2019 season when he stressed patience should be the course of action with the former GM Bob Quinn and HC Matt Patricia. Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp and Team President Rod Wood have tremendous respect for Spielman's opinions. IMHO, Spielman was the reason why I believe the search process for a new GM and HC was handled well.

The uncertainty the Packers have with Aaron Rodgers could indeed open opportunities in the NFC North.  Even though I'm not sold on Kirk Cousins at QB,  the Vikings have a strong overall roster, with a high quality HC. The apparent break that the Jaguars and the Colts other two AFC South opponents got by Indianapolis passing on Christian Darrisaw, turned into a huge opportunity for the Vikings two picks later.  

While I projected Kwity Paye to be the Colts pick at # 21 in my Mock Draft,  I didn't envision Darrisaw being available at 21. The drop of Rashawn Slater to the LA Chargers pick at # 13 and the Jets willingness to compensate the Vikings to trade up from pick # 23 to pick # 14 to move up for USC G Alijah Vera -Tucker, unexpectedly ( at least on this end ) opened the door for the Colts to fill their LT need.  The Colts have a good to very good overall roster.  But they have huge question marks in what most consider the two most important positions on Offense.  

With everything that transpired through this point in time this season, I think the Jaguars are closer to where the Colts are than from the bottom where the Texans have landed.  

If as expected Trevor Lawrence becomes the most differential player in the AFC South by sometime in his 2nd NFL season, the Jaguars should realistically become a serious contender for the AFC South Title no later than the 2023 season.

---