Lions Lowdown

ALLEN PARK — After using first two picks for offensive help, the Lions drafted safety Tracy Walker out of Louisiana-Lafayette with the 82nd overall pick in the NFL draft on Friday night.

Walker, who is 6-2 and 200 pounds, went to the same high school as Lions cornerback Darius Slay in Brunswick, Ga.  In fact, Walker confirmed that they are cousins. Lions GM Bob Quinn said he wasn’t sure about their exact familial relationship, but knew somehow the two were related.

Even though Walker was projected as a late-round pick by most pundits (Bleacher Report had him as seventh-round pick), Quinn said they were happy to get him. Quinn said teams 10-12 picks ahead of them had brought Walker in for visits.

In fact, Walker said he was surprised during a conference call with reporters late on Friday night.

“it definitely was a surprise for me. I didn’t expect it. I put out my best effort throughout the whole process and I control what I can control. I can’t control who picked me and who showed the most interest in me, when Detroit picked me it was a blessing for me,” Walker said. “I’m definitely honored that they picked me. They won’t regret it.”

Going in the third round was a pleasant surprise for Walker.

“Honestly I expected it to be the fifth round, I’m definitely blessed. I’m the type of person who’s very conservative and expects the worst. I’m blessed to be drafted in the third round,” Walker said.

Quinn also said Walker excelled when he played against the top competition. Specifically he said Walked played well against Texas A&M.

Why not a defensive lineman in the third round? Quinn said they had safeties rated higher that defensive linemen at that point in the draft so they went with Walker.

NFL.com’s draft profile for Walker: “Safety with long, slender build who has good linear speed, but could struggle as an open field tackler and when isolated in deep coverage. Walker’s long arms and explosion numbers in testing will be very intriguing to teams who covet measurables and traits from their defensive backs. His size and body type could put him in line for a test run as bump-and-run corner for teams with a rangy free safety over the top.

Walker led the Ragin’ Cajuns with tackles (97) and interceptions (2) as a senior.

(Photo courtesy of Louisiana-Lafayette)

More from NFL.com: “He has stood out since he was young, partially because he was the only boy among six siblings. As a redshirt freshman in 2014, he earned Freshman All-Sun Belt honors after starting eight-of-13 games played, making 44 tackles, intercepting two passes, and breaking up three other throws. He was a starter as a sophomore (10-of-12 games), as well, compiling 74 stops, five for loss, one interception, and six pass breakups. Walker led the Ragin’ Cajuns with three interceptions in 2016, starting 12-of-13 games played, piling up 61 tackles, 2.5 for loss. His senior season was his best, starting 12 games and leading the squad with 97 tackles (3.5 for loss) on his way to third-team All-Sun Belt honors. Walker also led the team with two interceptions and broke up six passes.”

The Lions drafted offensive lineman Frank Ragnow in the first round on Thursday. Then traded up to take running back Kerryon Johnson in the second round earlier on Friday. They have picks in the fifth and seventh rounds on Saturday.

ALLEN PARK — The Lions addressed their need for a running back by drafting Kerryon Johnson from Auburn in the second round on Friday night.

Detroit made a deal with the Patriots to move up to 43rd to grab Johnson by giving up their fourth-round pick and the 51st overall pick in the second round.
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Lions GM Bob Quinn said he knew there was going to be a run on running backs in the second round, and Johnson was the guy they wanted so he wanted to move up. It’s become quite common for him to trade with the Patriots, his former team. He said it’s just easier to make deals with people he knows.

Johnson had 285 carries for 1,391 yards (4.88 yards per carry) with 18 touchdowns last season. He also had 24 catches for 194 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Johnson ranks seventh best at Auburn with a kick return average of 25.12 yards.

Quinn said Johnson is a patient runner but accelerates when he sees the hole and knows how to finish.

“The (Lions) said be ready to go to work. It’s an extreme honor, it’s a great football team, I’m ready to go in and get to work,” Johnson said in a conference call on Friday night.

Coincidentally enough, he said one of his favorite running backs to watch is Hall of Famer Barry Sanders. “When you watch Barry Sanders, what’s not to like? He’s a fantastic running back, he’s a fantastic guy, he’s extremely exciting to watch, extremely hard to tackle,” Johnson said. “I wish I was alive at the time to get to watch him in person … Going to the same organization as him is awesome it’s like a dream come true,” Johnson said.

Johnson was the SEC’s offensive player of the year in 2017 and thinks playing in the SEC could help him take the big step from college ball to the NFL.

“The competition and the speed of the game is as close as you’re going to get to the NFL. Hopefully that helps with the learning curve and helps me succeed at the next level,” Johnson said.

Other than his pre-draft visit, Johnson said he’s never been to Detroit. He sounds excited about making the move.

(Photo courtesy of Auburn)

NFL draft analyst Mike Mayock ranked Johnson, 6-foot and 212 pounds, as the seventh best running back in the draft and projected he would be drafted in the second or third round. “He’s kind of a leggy, jump-cut guy. Good athlete, finishes runs, but I see him somewhere late two to mid-three,” Mayock said.

Johnson was Alabama’s Mr. Football in 2015 with 25 touchdowns as a senior and was also all-state in basketball.

The Lions had the NFL’s worst running game in 2017 averaging just 76.3 rushing yards per game. They drafted offensive lineman Frank Ragnow in the first round who should also help the run game.

 

ALLEN PARK — Frank Ragnow couldn’t be more excited to be a Detroit Lion.

His excitement was evident at an introductory press conference late on Friday afternoon.

He started by saying, “I’m Frank Ragnow and I’m so, so excited to be here.”

The offensive lineman was bear-hugged by coach Matt Patricia as he took the podium to take questions.

“He’s amazing, you can tell he really has passion for football and I think I’m the same way. I’m just so, so excited to play for such a brilliant football mind and such a great coach,’’ Ragnow said.

Here are seven things to know about Ragnow:

1. He got a congratulatory text from Matthew Stafford on Friday morning and was so much in awe that he called him “Mr. Stafford.” The quarterback would have none of that. Stafford told him he was happy to have him on board and is excited to win some ball games with him. Stafford should be thrilled to get more protection on the offensive line. It’s unclear whether Ragnow will play at center or left guard.

2. Finishing — putting another man on his back against his will —  is his favorite part of the game. “I’ve always taken pride in — you can control, you control your work ethic. Your finishing isn’t going to be about your talent, it’s not about your athleticism, it’s about your want-to and that’s what you can control,’’ Ragnow said.

3. He played for Arkansas so faced amazing talent weekly. He remembers going against his new teammate A’Shawn Robinson who played for Alabama. “I remember he looked 40,’’ Ragnow said. Nailed it.

4. Ragnow was genuinely surprised to be drafted by the Lions who had interviewed him at the NFL Draft Combine and had not talked to him since. “That was really early in the process, you didn’t know anything. It was pretty cool just getting to interview with all the teams. Now I’m a Detroit Lion and I couldn’t be more excited,’’ said Ragnow who grew up in Minnesota as a Vikings fan.

5. He is admittedly a football junky so knew quite a bit about the Lions offensive line. He tried not to pay attention to the plethora of mock drafts. “When you’ve got Facebook and a mother who’s very proud and trying to tag you in everything and trying to show you everything sometimes you can’t avoid it,’’ Ragnow said. “I tried to stay away from it and keep a level head.’’

6. His senior season ended prematurely due to an ankle injury which required surgery. It’s fine now and he cannot wait to get on the football field. “The draft process is a long process especially toward the end here it’s a lot of waiting, a lot of wondering,’’ Ragnow said. “And when you’re training you’re training to run a 40-yard dash which I don’t plan on doing that every again.’’

7. He’s a fisherman so is thrilled to be moving to the Detroit area for obvious reasons. “There’s some great fishing and hunting around here, I’m happy to be here,” Ragnow said. His best fishing buddy was his dad Jon, who died of a heart attack in 2016. He grew up in Minnesota and his family has a fishing cabin in Canada.