PHILADELPHIA – The Detroit Lions selected Northern Illinois wide receiver Kenny Golladay with their third-round pick -- No. 96 overall -- in the 2017 NFL draft.
On Thursday, the Lions drafted Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis with their first-round pick at No. 21 overall. They doubled down on Florida defenders in the second round, when they selected cornerback Teez Tabor. The former Gators were members of a dominant Florida defense the last two seasons.
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The Lions were originally slotted in at No. 85 overall in the third round, but they traded the pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for the Pats' third-round pick (No. 96) and fourth-round pick (No. 124).
CHECK: List of 2017 1st round NFL draft picks
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Here's some information on Golladay's draft profile from NFL.com:
One of the better players coming out of the Chicago area in 2011, Golladay ended up at North Dakota to start his college career. He was an often-targeted reserve as a true freshman there (30-429, one TD) and then an honorable mention All-Big Sky pick in 2013 as UND's leading receiver (69-884, eight TD). The head coach was fired after that season, however, so Golladay moved back home to play for Northern Illinois. He sat out the 2014 season as a transfer redshirt, then stepped into the line-up without any fears of moving up a level of football. He was a second-team All-MAC pick with 73 catches for 1,129 yards and 10 touchdowns. Golladay was a first-team selection in 2016, picking up his second 1,000-yard season (1,156) and eight scores on 87 receptions.
Strengths
Tall with arm length to match. Has room to add more muscle and strength. Was the quarterback's pet with his long, available frame. Steps into his routes with push and purpose. Long-strider who, if unaccosted, can eat up cushion and work over top of cornerbacks. Good hand fighter who can create additional vertical separation. Catches it away from his body and with desired extension. Long arms offer a wide net for a catch radius. Can go way up or dig out the low ball. Shows good instincts in space and will work back to the ball if he senses the window closing down.
Weaknesses
Route strength is below average. Can be knocked off course and off schedule in timing routes. Has build-up speed but needs a clean runway. Could struggle to uncover against bump-and-run corners. Below average sideline awareness. Made too many catches against the sideline that didn't end up counting. Needs to leverage more throwing room for his quarterbacks on vertical boundary throws. Route work failed to create tilt from defenders. Routes need to be better disquised. Passive, positional run blocker who waits to block until he has to.
Expectations
Draft projection: Round 4-5
NFL comparison: Jordan Taylor
He will be a height, weight, speed prospect headed into the combine, but will need to prove he can run to solidify his draft standing. Golladay could be targeted by teams looking for a field-stretcher with size who has the potential to become a matchup problem in the redzone. Golladay has the talent to become an eventual starter in the league.
-- Lance Zierlein