Lions must address league-worst interior pass rush

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 01: A'Shawn Robinson #91 of the Detroit Lions sits on the bench as the final seconds tick off the clock during fourth quarter action against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on January 1, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Packers defeated the Lions 31-24. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

2016 stats you should know:

  • With a cumulative pass-rush productivity of 4.6 from the 3-tech spot, Detroit ranked dead last in the NFC getting pressure from inside.
  • Last year, Rookie A’Shawn Robinson led Detroit’s interior pass-rushers with a pass-rush grade of just 68.2, 91st best in the NFL.

Players in the draft who can help:

  • Malik McDowell’s PRP of 11.7 tied for third among interior defensive linemen in this draft. He earned 30 total pressures on just 196 pass-rush snaps in 2016 and could be an option for the Lions at 21st overall.
  • Also tied for third among interior defensive linemen with a PRP of 11.7, Caleb Brantley could be a good fit for the Lions on Day 2 of the draft.
  • On Day 3, the Lions could look at Tanzel Smart from Tulane. Smart earned a pass-rush grade of 87.4 in 2016, which ranked fourth in college football last year.

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