The Detroit Lions have always been a team that has struggled to find success in the NFL. However, in 2016, they had a draft class that was filled with promise and potential. With players like Taylor Decker, A'Shawn Robinson, and Dwayne Washington, the Lions had a group of rookies that could make an immediate impact on the field. In this article, we will take a look back at the Detroit Lions rookies of 2016 and see how they fared in their first season.
As the Lions entered the 2016 NFL Draft, they had several needs that they needed to address. One of their biggest needs was on the offensive line. They needed a player who could protect quarterback Matthew Stafford and open up holes for the running game. With the 16th pick in the draft, the Lions selected Taylor Decker, an offensive tackle out of Ohio State. Decker started all 16 games in his rookie season and proved to be a valuable addition to the Lions' offensive line.
The Defensive Line
The Lions also needed help on the defensive line, and they found it in A'Shawn Robinson. Robinson, a defensive tackle out of Alabama, was selected in the second round of the draft. He played in all 16 games and recorded 30 tackles and 2 sacks. Robinson proved to be a disruptive force on the defensive line and showed why he was one of the top defensive tackles in the draft.
The Lions also added depth to their defensive line with their third-round pick, defensive end, and linebacker, Anthony Zettel. Zettel played in 13 games and recorded 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks. While his numbers may not have been eye-popping, Zettel showed that he can be a valuable asset to the Lions' defense.
The Running Game
The Lions also needed help in the running game, and they found it in Dwayne Washington. Washington, a running back out of Washington, was selected in the seventh round of the draft. He played in 13 games and rushed for 265 yards and 1 touchdown. While his numbers may not have been great, Washington showed flashes of potential and could be a valuable asset to the Lions' offense in the future.
The Lions also added another running back in the sixth round, selecting fullback, and running back, Michael Burton out of Rutgers. Burton played in all 16 games and was primarily used as a blocker. While he did not have any rushing yards or touchdowns, Burton's blocking was instrumental in opening up holes for the Lions' running backs.
The Wide Receivers
The Lions also added depth to their wide receiver corps with their fifth-round pick, wide receiver, and kick returner, Jamal Agnew. Agnew played in all 16 games and was primarily used as a kick returner. He returned 29 kicks for 675 yards and 2 touchdowns. While he did not see much action as a wide receiver, Agnew showed that he can be a valuable asset on special teams.
The Conclusion
The Detroit Lions rookies of 2016 showed promise and potential in their first season. While some had more success than others, all of them proved that they can be valuable assets to the Lions' team. As the Lions move forward, they will look to build on the success of their rookies and continue to improve their team.
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