The Detroit Lions have always been a team that has been on the cusp of greatness. In 2015, they were looking to take that next step and build a team that could compete for a Super Bowl. The draft was a critical component of that process, and the Lions were looking to make the most of their picks. In this article, we'll take a look back at the Lions' projected draft picks from 2015 and see how they fared.
The Lions had a total of six picks in the 2015 NFL Draft, and they used them to address some key needs on both sides of the ball. They had the 23rd overall pick, and many experts predicted that they would use it to select a defensive player. However, the Lions surprised everyone when they selected an offensive lineman instead.
The First Round Pick: Laken Tomlinson
With the 23rd pick in the first round, the Lions selected Laken Tomlinson, an offensive guard from Duke University. Tomlinson was highly regarded coming out of college and was projected to be a solid starter in the NFL. The Lions needed to improve their offensive line, and Tomlinson was seen as the perfect fit.
Tomlinson had a solid rookie season, starting 14 games and playing in all 16. He showed that he was a physical and athletic lineman who could hold his own against some of the league's best defenders. However, he struggled in his second year, and the Lions ended up trading him to the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. Tomlinson is still in the league, but he has yet to live up to his first-round draft status.
The Second Round Pick: Ameer Abdullah
The Lions had two picks in the second round of the 2015 draft, and they used their first one to select Ameer Abdullah, a running back from the University of Nebraska. Abdullah was an explosive player in college, and the Lions were hoping that he could bring that same big-play ability to the NFL.
Abdullah had a decent rookie season, rushing for 597 yards and two touchdowns. However, he struggled with injuries in his second and third years, and his production suffered as a result. The Lions ended up releasing Abdullah in 2018, and he has since played for the Minnesota Vikings and the Arizona Cardinals.
The Third Round Pick: Alex Carter
In the third round, the Lions selected Alex Carter, a cornerback from Stanford University. Carter was seen as a player with a lot of potential, and the Lions were hoping that he could develop into a starting cornerback in the NFL.
Unfortunately, things didn't work out for Carter in Detroit. He spent most of his rookie season on injured reserve, and he was released by the team in 2017. Carter has since bounced around the league, playing for the Seattle Seahawks and the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Rest of the Draft Picks
The Lions had three more picks in the 2015 draft, and they used them to select Gabe Wright, a defensive tackle from Auburn University, Michael Burton, a fullback from Rutgers University, and Quandre Diggs, a cornerback from the University of Texas.
Wright and Burton didn't make much of an impact in Detroit and were both released after just one season with the team. Diggs, on the other hand, was a solid pick for the Lions. He played four seasons in Detroit, starting 40 games and recording six interceptions. However, the Lions ended up trading Diggs to the Seattle Seahawks in 2019.
Conclusion
The 2015 NFL Draft was a mixed bag for the Detroit Lions. While they did manage to find some solid contributors in Ameer Abdullah and Quandre Diggs, their first-round pick, Laken Tomlinson, didn't quite live up to expectations. The rest of their picks were largely forgettable, with Gabe Wright and Michael Burton failing to make an impact in the league.
Overall, the 2015 draft was a missed opportunity for the Lions. They had a chance to add some key pieces to their roster and build a team that could compete for a Super Bowl. Unfortunately, things didn't quite work out, and the Lions continue to search for that elusive championship.
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