Detroit Lions: Looking at early 2021 NFL Draft position needs

2. Defensive Line

The most obvious immediate need for the Lions here is on the interior defensive line. Danny Shelton has been solid as a gap-stuffing run defender, but the Lions undoubtedly need to find players who can create pressure from the inside. On top of that, their edge rusher position leaves plenty to be desired.

Trey Flowers is not going anywhere anytime soon, but Everson Griffin will hit the open market as a free agent and Romeo Okwara simply has not been impressive. The Lions would be wise to address the defensive line with multiple picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Ideally, they would be able to find an interior rusher who can push the pocket and a dynamic edge rusher who can win with speed around the outside. Edge rushers Kwity Paye and Gregory Rousseau fit as potential first-round targets for the Detroit Lions while Jay Tufele stands out as an ideal choice for the team if he is available at their second-round pick.

3. Linebacker

The Lions currently only have three linebackers under contract for the 2021 season; Jamie Collins, Jahlani Tavai and Christian Jones. Collins will likely be an impact player for the team going forward, but he is only a short-term asset. Both Tavai and Jones are not ideal starting options, making this position both a short and long-term position of need.

With the passing game taking over more than ever before, the linebacker position is becoming less valuable. Teams would rather swarm the field with a ton of defensive backs more often than not and off-ball linebackers are usually the players to leave the field. The Lions have an obvious lack of talent at the linebacker position, but the relative unimportance of the position could allow them to wait until the middle of the 2021 NFL Draft to address this need.