Day 3 Grades and Analysis

Da'Shawn Hand:

Grades:

Draft grades: B from Birkett, C+ from Monarrez (Birkett - Hand: The Lions gave up a third-round pick next year to get some help for the defensive line now. That’s the standard price to pay, and with an extra sixth-rounder already in pocket it’s a worthwhile gamble for a Lions team that needed to add some beef up front. Hand said at the Senior Bowl that he’d play primarily three-technique if he ended up with the Lions. He’s a solid player who fits the scheme, though far from a sure thing. B):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/04/28/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-picks-grades/561721002/

Draft grades: B from Birkett, C+ from Monarrez (Monarrez - Hand: The Lions got their fourth-round pick back from the Patriots by trading a 2019 third-rounder in order to draft Hand, who could be a versatile player and provide much-needed help on the defensive line. Hand only started one season and didn’t have a ton of production, but he’s reuniting with his old ’Bama coach, Bo Davis, who could get the most out of him. B-minus):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/04/28/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-picks-grades/561721002/

CBS (114. Da'Shawn Hand, DE, Alabama - Grade: C. - Two-gapper. Strong. Very limited as a pass rusher.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2018-nfl-draft-grades-and-analysis-for-every-teams-pick-in-the-fourth-round/

Walterfootball (Detroit Lions: Da'Shawn Hand, DE/DT, Alabama C Grade:  The Lions just gave up a third-round pick to New England for this selection. Da'Shawn Hand better be worth it. He's a great fit for Detroit's new defense under Matt Patricia, but I don't think I would've dealt a 2019 third-rounder for him. There are some decent five-techniques still available, so this almost seemed like a panic move after the Lions failed to address their defensive line earlier.):  http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgrades4.php

Analysis:

SI (Scouting Report: 2017 was supposed to be a breakout year for the one-time top recruit in the nation, but Hand didn’t deliver in his only season as a full-time starter at Alabama. It might have been due to a nagging knee injury he played through for most of the season, but he was too often stale-mated by inferior opponents. The talent is undeniable though, as Hand is a quick and fluid mover at nearly 300 pounds, capable of moving laterally to cover gaps, or exploding upfield. He could be molded into a 5-technique or 3-technique, and there will be plenty of coaching staffs willing to take on the challenge of unleashing his potential.): https://www.si.com/draft/nfl/2018/draft-tracker?round=4

NFL (Matt Patricia wants to instill more toughness to a defense that struggled to control the line of scrimmage last season. He wants to be multiple up front and Hand provides the versatility to fit that need. --Mark Dulgerian):   https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/picks?pick=14&round=4

Detroit News (14 (114). Detroit (from Green Bay through Cleveland and New England): Da'Shawn Hand, DE, Alabama - The Lions traded up to snag a talented pass-rusher in Hand. The future of DE Ziggy Ansah is unclear after this year and Hand could help fill the void if Ansah leaves. Hand was a five-star recruit that never really became elite in the SEC. He played well in the Senior Bowl and has all the physical tools to become a contributor.): https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/04/28/live-updates-nfl-draft-day-3/34345839/

ESPN:  http://www.espn.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/33713/detroit-lions-2018-draft-analysis-for-every-selection

Tyrell Crosby:

Grades:

CBS (153. Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon,
Grade: A, Awesome value here. Nasty mauler. Plus athlete. Needs to get stronger. Tremendous depth. Can play guard.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2018-nfl-draft-fifth-round-grades-and-analysis-for-every-teams-pick/

Walterfootball (Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon,
 A Grade: The Lions had major problems whenever one of their tackles went down with an injury, so they had to find a solid reserve. Tyrell Crosby could end up being more than solid. He was a second-day prospect who would've gone much earlier if it weren't for some concussion concerns. Those might re-surface, but the fifth round is a nice time to take a chance.):  http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgrades5.php

Draft grades: B from Birkett, C+ from Monarrez (Birkett - Crosby: The interior of the offensive line wasn’t the only need the Lions had up front entering the draft. They didn’t have a viable backup tackle last season, and that came back to bite them when Taylor Decker and Rick Wagner went down with injuries. Crosby should back up both tackle spots this fall and has some flexibility to play inside at guard if needed. He missed most of the 2016 season with a foot injury, but started every game last season and at 6-feet-5 has great length with 35 ¼-inch arms. A-minus):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/04/28/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-picks-grades/561721002/

Draft grades: B from Birkett, C+ from Monarrez (Monarrez - Crosby: He’s the perfect pick in the fifth round to add some badly needed depth at either tackle spot. He’s not an elite athlete, but he somehow found a way to not allow a single sack his senior year. He never played guard, so he lacks some flexibility, and he’s reportedly had some concussion issues. B):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/04/28/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-picks-grades/561721002/

Analysis:

SI (Scouting Report: A mauling run blocker, Crosby also got the job done pass-protecting as a left tackle at Oregon, even if it didn’t always look beautiful. He’s a likely starter—and potentially a good one—for a team looking to set the tone with a physical run game.):  https://www.si.com/draft/nfl/2018/draft-tracker?round=5

NFL (This is a nice value pick for the Lions, taking one of the better run blocking tackles in the draft. There's a learning curve coming from Oregon's passing scheme, but the traits are there to develop into a starter down the line. --Mark Dulgerian):  https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/picks?pick=16&round=5

Detroit News (16 (153). Detroit: Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon - Crosby was a 2017 1st Team All-Pac-12 performer at Oregon and started 13 games last year. He has the requisite size for right tackle at 6-foot-5 and 309 pounds, but if that doesn't work out he may be moved to guard. He missed some time during his college years due to a broken left foot. He still needs to learn some technique, but he's got great length and run-blocks well. His ceiling is limited due to consistency issues.):  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/04/28/live-updates-nfl-draft-day-3/34345839/

ESPN:  http://www.espn.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/33713/detroit-lions-2018-draft-analysis-for-every-selection

Nick Bawden:

Grades:

Walterfootball (Detroit Lions: Nick Bawden, FB, San Diego State A Grade:  A smart player and a stellar blocker, Nick Bawden will help inject some life into Detroit's dead running game. Kerryon Johnson has to be thrilled about this pick, and I happen to think that it deserves an "A" grade.):  http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgrades7.php

Draft grades: B from Birkett, C+ from Monarrez (Birkett - Bawden: It wasn’t even 12 months ago that the Lions got rid of Michael Burton and eliminated the fullback from their offense. Now, apparently, they’ve had a change of heart. Bawden was considered one of the two or three best fullbacks in the draft. He’s got decent enough hands to catch the ball out of the backfield and has blocked for 2,000-yard rushers each of the last two seasons, but has a bit of an injury history. The Lions probably wouldn’t have been able to sign him as priority free agent given the composition of their backfield, so I have no problem taking him with their final pick. B):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/04/28/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-picks-grades/561721002/

Draft grades: B from Birkett, C+ from Monarrez (Monarrez - Bawden: He converted from quarterback after his freshman season and was the lead blocker for Donnel Pumphrey, the country’s top rusher in 2016, and Rashaad Penny in 2017. Could eventually fit in the mold of Patriots Pro Bowl fullback James Develin. B):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/04/28/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-picks-grades/561721002/

CBS (237. Nick Bawden, FB, San Diego State,
Grade: C-, Former quarterback who converted to fullback. Very willing to find someone to hit but isn't very accurate at the second level. When he finds his target, he delivers a major pop.): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2018-nfl-draft-round-7-draft-order-grades-for-picks-219-through-256/

Analysis:

SI (Scouting Report: A converted quarterback (he made two starts at QB as a freshman), Bawden bulked up and became one of the nation’s best fullbacks. He’s a classic lead blocker—physical but also a fluid-enough player to land blocks on the move. He’s limited as a receiver, but he has reliable enough hands when it’s dumped off to him. He’s the best option in this draft class for any team looking for a true lead blocker.):  https://www.si.com/draft/nfl/2018/draft-tracker?round=7

NFL (You have to love the approach Detroit is taking to improving an abysmal run game. Matt Patricia understands the value of establishing physicality in the run game and closing out games. Bawden is the best blocking fullback in this class. --Mark Dulgerian):  https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/picks?pick=19&round=7

Detroit News (19 (237). Detroit: Nick Bawden, FB, San Diego St. - Fullbacks are a dying breed in the NFL, and Bawden started his career at San Diego St. as a quarterback before becoming the lead blocker for the nation's top runner in 2016 (Donnel Pumphrey) and 2017 (Rashaad Penny). He can catch out of the backfield, make adjustments and engages potential tacklers well. The Lions are maybe showing a willingness to get creative on offense with this pick.): https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/04/28/live-updates-nfl-draft-day-3/34345839/

ESPN:  http://www.espn.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/33713/detroit-lions-2018-draft-analysis-for-every-selection