Solid Starter
Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas – Round 1 
The Lions have been a one-dimensional offense for years as they have been completely dependent on the arm of Matthew Stafford to score points for them. Detroit general manager Bob Quinn made a commitment to change that with how he used the organization’s first two draft picks. The first of those selections was Arkansas center Frank Ragnow, who should be a plug-and-play starter who quickly serves as an upgrade to the Lions’ offensive line and run blocking.
In the ground game, the 6-foot-4, 307-pound Ragnow is an effective blocker. He takes good angles on defenders, sustains his blocks, and has strong hands. Ragnow is very good at pulling and looping around the edge. He is quick to the second level and is adept at hitting blocks in space. Ragnow is a tough blocker who pushes defenders around the field and keeps fighting through the whistle. Early in his NFL career, he should be an asset as a run blocker.
Ragnow is very reliable as an interior pass protector. He has enough strength in his base to hold up against bull rushes with the agility and quickness to glide with speed rushers. With his quick feet and agility, Ragnow gets in position while using his technique to maintain blocks. He sustains his blocks, and second efforts don’t work against him.
On top of being a natural center, Ragnow also could start at guard for the Lions. His flexibility should allow the Lions to put him at left guard, center, or right guard to help field the top three interior talents who they possess. Center should be his long-term position, and quickly in his NFL career, Ragnow should be a solid starter for Detroit.
2017: Jalen Tabor, CB
2016: Taylor Decker, OT
2015: Laken Tomlinson, G
2014: Travis Swanson, C
2013: Darius Slay, CB
Most Likely To Bust
Tracy Walker, S, La.-Lafayette – Round 3 
The Lions dipped into the small-school route when they took Walker in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. This was a bit of a reach, and there were better safeties available like Alabama’s Ronnie Harrison. Walker was a nice player for La.-Lafayette, and the Lions needed a potential upgrade at strong safety. However, I’m not confident he will make the jump to the NFL. Walker needs to get stronger to tackle NFL players, plus also possesses questionable instincts and diagnosis skills. There is some upside to him, but he will need development.
Glover Quin is a very good free safety, so Walker should immediately compete at strong safety. Walker could use a redshirt year to adjust to the NFL. Of Detroit’s early-round picks, he could have the most bust potential.
2017: Michael Roberts, TE
2016: A’Shawn Robinson, DT
2015: Alex Carter, CB
2014: Eric Ebron, TE
2013: Ezekiel Ansah, DE
Potential Boom Pick
Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn – Round 2 
Along with Frank Ragnow, Kerryon Johnson is the other piece of the Lions’ early-round picks to help create a rushing attack during the 2018 season. Ameer Abdullah has been a disappointment since being a second-day pick out of Nebraska, while Theo Riddick and LeGarrette Blount are role players. Johnson may need some time to learn the offense and be assignment sound in pass protection, but he has true three-down starting potential and the ability to be a devastating running back.
Johnson (5-11, 213) is a well-rounded runner with quickness, cutting ability, vision, patience and balance. He is a tough back who can go North-South or hurt defenses with runs to the perimeter. He is a smooth and displays nice change-of-direction skills to weave his way through the defense and glide for yards. Johnson also played banged up, illustrating his toughness to withstand a heavy work load and some hard hits. However, Johnson dealt with a few injuries, and durability could be an issue for him in the NFL. Additionally, he was impressive as a receiver in 2017, showing some nice route-running and soft hands. He was a dangerous outlet receiver for Auburn and could be that in the NFL.
During the 2018 season, it wouldn’t surprise me if other tailbacks get more carries and receptions than Johnson early on. Over time though, he should be used more and more. He is more talented than the other backs on the Detroit roster and could be an excellent three-down starter. Of the Lions’ early-round picks, Johnson has the most boom potential.
2017: Jarrad Davis, LB
2016: Graham Glasgow, C
2015: Ameer Abdullah, RB
2014: Kyle Van Noy, LB
2013: Larry Warford, G
Future Depth Player
Da’Shawn Hand, DE, Alabama – Round 4 
Detroit’s defense is going to evolve under new head coach Matt Patricia, and Hand will be a versatile defensive lineman who Patricia can use in a variety of ways. Hand projects as a five-technique defensive end in a 3-4 defense. In a 4-3 defense, he could play end on run downs and move inside for the sub package, or he could gain weight to be a full-time defensive tackle. Being a five-technique end in 3-4 would be his most natural fit. Hand is a tough run defender who holds his ground well. Even though he is quick and athletic for his size, he is not a big presence in the pass rush and will be more of edge setter rather than a rusher. Because of his limitations as a pass-rusher, Hand probably won’t ever be a three-down starter, but he could be a nice rotational player who provides solid depth for the Lions.
2017: Brad Kaaya, QB
2016: Miles Killebrew, S
2015: Quandre Diggs, CB
2014: Larry Webster, DE
2013: Devin Taylor, DE
Walt’s 2018 NFL Draft Grades:
20. Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas A- Grade
That sound you hear is the collective hearts of the Bengals’ front office breaking upon learning about this pick. Frank Ragnow was set to go 21st overall, but the Lions also needed a center, so they snatched the Arkansas product off the board.
This is a solid pick. Ragnow is a terrific center who didn’t surrender a single sack last year playing in the SEC. He fills a huge need, which the Lions had after losing Travis Swanson in free agency.
51. Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn B+ Grade
Still no Derrius Guice? The Lions taking Kerryon Johnson makes more sense than Guice because of their scheme, plus he’s a better fit for the type of player the Bill Belichick tree likes. Johnson will mesh well with Matthew Stafford, as he’ll be a big weapon out of the backfield, catching all of the passes thrown at or behind the line of scrimmage, a staple of Detroit’s offense. I’m not sure the Lions had to trade up for Johnson, but I like this pick.
82. Tracy Walker, S, Louisiana-Lafayete THE GHOST OF MILLEN STRIKES AGAIN Grade
Ladies and gentlemen, our first Millen pick of the second day of the draft! Tracy Walker is a late-round prospect with good instincts, but he seems more like a special-teams player. The Lions almost certainly could have gotten Walker in the fourth or even fifth rounds.
114. Da’Shawn Hand, DE/DT, Alabama C Grade
The Lions just gave New England’s third-round pick for this selection. Da’Shawn Hand better be worth it. He’s a great fit for Detroit’s new defense under Matt Patricia, but I don’t think I would’ve dealt a 2019 third-rounder for him. There are some decent five-techniques still available, so this almost seemed like a panic move after the Lions failed to address their defensive line earlier.
153. Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon A Grade
The Lions had major problems whenever one of their tackles went down with an injury, so they had to find a solid reserve. Tyrell Crosby could end up being more than solid. He was a second-day prospect who would’ve gone much earlier if it weren’t for some concussion concerns. Those might re-surface, but the fifth round is a nice time to take a chance.
237. Nick Bawden, FB, San Diego State A Grade
A smart player and a stellar blocker, Nick Bawden will help inject some life into Detroit’s dead running game. Kerryon Johnson has to be thrilled about this pick, and I happen to think that it deserves an “A” grade.
2018 NFL Draft Team Grade: C . Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
Detroit Lions Season Preview
NFL Picks - Nov. 23
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
