Laken Tomlinson, an offensive guard from Duke University is a very good guard, this is known by the majority of draft pundits. What is at issue with the Detroit Lions selecting him 28th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft is why they selected him as early as they did, and with the talent left on the board as well.
Laken Tomlinson was given a late second or early third round grade by some draft pundits, and with the Lions best player available strategy, it seemed almost unbelievable the Lions would reach a whole round to get someone at a position that was not an immediate need.
The Lions traded back from 23rd overall to 28th with Denver, and also received a starting offensive guard Manny Ramirez, and two fifth round picks (one this year and one next year) in the deal as well. What makes little sense is why the Lions traded back to select a guard in the first round, especially after acquiring a guard in the trade down.
There are still players with first round grades on them including Alabama Safety Landon Collins and Arizona State Wide Receiver Jaelen Strong, both of whom would have filled needs as big as (or bigger) than Tomlinson. Jake Fisher or T.J Clemmings also had been projected to go in the first round as offensive tackles, and might have been a better fit for the Lions as well as less of a reach.
There is one thing that would make the Tomlinson pick better than an offensive tackle, and that is if the Lions are going to running back on day two. Whether that be Jeremy Langford from MSU, common mock draft selection Tevin Coleman from Indiana, or Duke Johnson from Miami among others.
Laken Tomlinson is a run blocking guard, and he is arguably the best run blocker at any offensive line position in this year’s draft class. If the Lions could find a feature back, that would instantly improve the immediate impact on the Tomlinson selection, and if he passes Manny Ramirez, Larry Warford or Travis Swanson on the depth chart at Guard, while it still would be a reach, the pick would be much better than it seems going into day two.
