As the NFL Draft approaches, football fans around the country are eagerly anticipating the selection of their favorite team's newest players. For Detroit Lions fans, this time of year is often fraught with anxiety and disappointment. Despite years of high draft picks and big-name selections, the Lions have struggled to find lasting success on the field. In this article, we'll take a look back at the team's draft history and examine some of the key factors that have contributed to their successes and failures over the years.
The Early Years: Building a Winning Team
The Detroit Lions were founded in 1930 as the Portsmouth Spartans, a team based in Ohio. They moved to Detroit in 1934 and quickly established themselves as a competitive force, winning the NFL Championship in 1935. In the early years of the team's history, the Lions relied heavily on the draft to build their roster.
One of the team's most successful draft classes came in 1952, when they selected future Hall of Famers Bobby Layne and Lou Creekmur. Layne went on to lead the Lions to three NFL Championships in the 1950s, while Creekmur was a dominant offensive lineman for over a decade. This era of success was built on a foundation of strong drafting and shrewd talent evaluation.
The Barry Sanders Era: A Star Player Can Only Do So Much
In the 1980s and 1990s, the Detroit Lions were defined by one player: running back Barry Sanders. Sanders was a generational talent, a player capable of making jaw-dropping plays on a regular basis. Despite his individual brilliance, however, the Lions struggled to build a consistent winning team around him.
Part of the problem was a lack of support from the draft. While the Lions did select some talented players in this era (including Pro Bowlers Lomas Brown and Chris Spielman), they often missed on key picks and failed to build a strong enough supporting cast around Sanders. As a result, the team only made the playoffs five times in Sanders' ten-year career, never advancing past the NFC Championship game.
The Millen Era: A Decade of Futility
The 2000s were a dark time for Detroit Lions fans, as the team struggled through a decade of futility under the leadership of General Manager Matt Millen. Millen's tenure was marked by a string of disastrous draft picks, including the infamous selection of wide receiver Charles Rogers with the second overall pick in 2003.
Despite the team's struggles, there were a few bright spots in the draft during this era. Defensive end Kalimba Edwards and wide receiver Roy Williams both showed promise early in their careers, but failed to develop into the stars the team had hoped for. Overall, however, the Millen era was defined by a lack of talent evaluation and a failure to build a competitive team.
The Stafford Era: Mixed Results and Missed Opportunities
In 2009, the Lions selected quarterback Matthew Stafford with the first overall pick in the draft. Stafford has gone on to have a productive career in Detroit, setting numerous team records and leading the team to the playoffs three times. However, the team has failed to advance past the Wild Card round in any of those appearances.
The Lions have had some success in the draft during the Stafford era, including the selection of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in 2010. However, they have also missed on some key picks, such as offensive tackle Riley Reiff and defensive end Ziggy Ansah. The team's mixed results in the draft have contributed to their continued struggles to build a consistent winning team.
Looking Ahead: Hope for the Future?
Despite their past struggles, there are reasons for Detroit Lions fans to be optimistic about the future. General Manager Brad Holmes has brought a new approach to the team's draft strategy, focusing on building a strong foundation of young talent. The team has also made some promising selections in recent years, including cornerback Jeff Okudah and offensive lineman Penei Sewell.
Only time will tell if the Lions' new approach to the draft will lead to long-term success on the field. However, as the team prepares for another draft, fans can take comfort in the fact that there is reason to hope for a brighter future for their beloved Lions.
Conclusion
The Detroit Lions' draft history is a mixed bag, with periods of success and failure. While the team has had some standout players over the years, they have often struggled to build a consistent winning team. However, with a new approach to the draft and some promising young talent on the roster, there is reason for Lions fans to be optimistic about the future. Only time will tell if the team's new approach will lead to sustained success, but for now, fans can look forward to another exciting draft and the promise of a brighter future for their team.
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