Every NFL fan knows the draft is supposed to be a fresh start. A chance for struggling teams to flip the script, snag a future Hall of Famer, or if luck’s really on your side, change the course of the franchise forever. Detroit Lions fans? We know that hope. We also know heartbreak. If you’ve ever sat through draft night with a pit in your stomach and fingers crossed, you’re not alone.
Let’s take a trip through the Detroit Lions draft history. We’ll relive the triumphs and the facepalms. If you’re a long-suffering fan or just love NFL draft analysis, this one’s for you.
Draft Night Dreams: The Best Detroit Lions Draft Picks
Let’s start on a high note. The Lions, for all the memes and late-night jokes at our expense, have landed some absolute gems over the years.
Barry Sanders (1989, 1st round, 3rd overall)
The gold standard. Watching Barry run was like watching poetry. He made defenders look silly. You’d blink and he’d be 20 yards downfield, untouched. He was the hope on Sundays, even when the rest of the team was stumbling.
Calvin Johnson (2007, 1st round, 2nd overall)
“Megatron.” The nickname alone should tell you everything. Defensive backs had nightmares about him. Matthew Stafford just tossed it up, and more often than not, Calvin came down with it. He retired early, but he still left a mark as one of the most dominant receivers ever.
Matthew Stafford (2009, 1st round, 1st overall)
He took more hits than a crash test dummy, but Stafford played with heart. That 2011 comeback against the Browns? Legendary. He stuck with Detroit through the roughest seasons and finally got a ring in LA, but he’ll always be a Lion to us.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (2021, 4th round, 112th overall)
Every draft has a steal. For the Lions, Amon-Ra is that guy. Picked in the fourth round, he played like he was out to prove every team wrong for passing him up. Gritty, reliable, and fun to watch.
Other Notables:
- Jason Hanson (1992, 2nd round) — A kicker so steady you almost forgot how special he was, until he wasn’t there anymore.
- Lomas Brown (1985, 1st round) — Protected Lions QBs for over a decade.
- Herman Moore (1991, 1st round) — Before Megatron, Moore was the man.
The list goes on, but you get the idea: sometimes, the Lions get it right (Pro-Football-Reference; DetroitLions.com).
The Painful Part: Notorious Misses and Busts
You can’t talk about Detroit Lions draft history without hitting the lows. And man, have there been some lows.
Wide Receiver Woes
For a while, it felt like the Lions were collecting first-round wide receivers like they were trading cards. Only, the payoff rarely came.
- Charles Rogers (2003, 1st round, 2nd overall): Billed as the next big thing, but injuries and off-field issues derailed his career almost before it started (MLive).
- Mike Williams (2005, 1st round, 10th overall): Didn’t pan out, especially after missing a year of football before entering the draft.
- Roy Williams (2004, 1st round, 7th overall): Showed flashes, but never became the franchise star Detroit was hoping for.
Quarterback Quandaries
Remember Joey Harrington?
- Joey Harrington (2002, 1st round, 3rd overall): Sometimes a player just isn’t a fit. Harrington never lived up to the hype. It was the start of a long parade of quarterbacks who didn’t quite measure up.
And then there’s:
- Andre Ware (1990, 1st round, 7th overall): Won a Heisman. Looked lost in the NFL. Couldn’t beat out Rodney Peete or Erik Kramer. Sometimes, college glory just doesn’t translate (CBS Sports). He ran the “Run and Shoot” offense for the Houston Cougars in college. We had Mouse Davis as our OC, widely regarded as the ‘godfather’ of the run and shoot offense. Just never worked out.
Other Notable Misfires
- Titus Young (2011, 2nd round): Talent wasn’t enough to overcome off-field problems.
- Aaron Gibson (1999, 1st round): First 400-pound player drafted in the first round. He was supposed to anchor the line. He didn’t.
- Jeff Okudah (2020, 1st round, 3rd overall): Injuries and scheme changes kept him from being a true difference-maker (TheGame730AM; Freep).
The “What Could Have Been” Club
Let’s be real: every team has draft regrets. But Detroit’s seem to sting just a bit more. Maybe it’s because we always see the guys we could have had tearing it up elsewhere.
Think about it:
- Passing on Aaron Donald in 2014.
- Missing out on DeAndre Hopkins in 2013.
- Drafting Eric Ebron over Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014.
It’s like watching your ex become a movie star.
And then there are the years where a single pick could have changed everything. I remember yelling at the TV in 2002, praying we’d pick Ed Reed. Instead? Joey Harrington. Oof. I agree, any succesful team needs a franchise QB. But it doesn’t mean that this pick is not extremely high-risk.
Recent Detroit Lions Draft Picks: Signs of Hope?
If you’re looking for a silver lining, it’s this: The Lions’ recent draft record is, dare I say, looking up. Under GM Brad Holmes, Detroit’s been stacking the roster with hungry, high-character guys who actually want to be here.
- Aidan Hutchinson (2022, 1st round): Local kid, instant impact. Plays with the kind of grit this city loves.
- Penei Sewell (2021, 1st round): Anchoring the offensive line and already looking like a future Pro Bowler.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (2021, 4th round): Mentioned earlier, but he’s worth repeating. Major value.
- Jack Campbell (2023, 1st round): Looks the part of a classic Lions linebacker.
- Jahmyr Gibbs (2023, 1st round): Some folks were skeptical about drafting a running back this high, but Gibbs wasted no time silencing the doubters. Electric out of the backfield. Makes defenders miss in the open field. For the first time in ages, Detroit’s run game actually scares people.
- Kerby Joseph (2022, 3rd round): Ballhawk safety who has already made a name for himself with clutch interceptions and game-changing plays. Feels like he’s always around the ball when the defense needs a spark.
The list goes on and on. In fact, we’ve never had a GM in Detroit that has hit at such a rate in the draft. The point is this: instead of chasing “can’t-miss” stars, the Lions are building a team that, get this, looks like it actually fits together. As a lifelong fan, that’s refreshing.
Why the Draft Matters So Much in Detroit
Living in Michigan, you get used to bracing yourself every spring. The draft isn’t just an event. It’s a ritual. I remember watching with my dad, both of us yelling at the TV, then spending the next week arguing with friends about who the “real steal” was. You hope each pick is the one that finally brings the city a championship. Sometimes, the pick is that guy. More often, it’s a footnote in a long, complicated story.
But here’s the thing: Hope is undefeated.
Every spring, we get to believe again.
Let’s Talk: Your Turn
So, what do you think? Did I leave out your favorite Lions draft pick? Is there a bust you’re still not over? Maybe you’ve got a draft night memory that still cracks you up. Or maybe one that still hurts.
Drop your thoughts in the comments below or join the forum. Your stories, your takes, your passion – they’re what makes this community great. Detroit Lions draft history is a wild ride, but it’s one we’re all on together. Let’s keep the conversation going, because every fan’s voice matters. Who knows? Maybe this year’s picks generate a hall of famer.
Stay gritty, Detroit.