The Detroit Lions have the 28th pick in the first round of this year's NFL Draft in April.
In four years as the Lions general manager, Brad Holmes has selected six players in the first round – tackle Penei Sewell (No. 7, 2021), defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (No. 2, 2022), wide receiver Jameson Williams (No. 12, 2022), runnnig back Jahmyr Gibbs (No. 12, 2023), linebacker Jack Campbell (No. 18, 2023) and cornerback Terrion Arnold (No. 24, 2024). All six are starters and key core players.
Holmes has also shown a knack for obtaining talent outside the first round with selections like tight end Sam LaPorta (second round, 2023), safety Brian Branch (second round, 2023), safety Kerby Joseph (third round, 2022), defensive tackle Alim McNeill (third round, 2021) and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (fourth round, 2021). Also starters and key core players.
The following is a look at the players drafted 28th in the last 10 years and how their draft selection ranks.
There's also a look at the players drafted a few picks after 28 to judge if there were better options.
2024: WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
Drafted by Kansas City
Worthy played in all 17 games in the regular season with 13 starts and caught 59 passes for 638 yards and six touchdowns. In three playoff games, he had 19 receptions for 287 yards and three more touchdowns.
Draft ranking: Kansas City got a productive young receiver at the end of the first round.
Possible better pick: Ricky Pearsall (No. 31), Keon Coleman (No. 33) and Ladd McConkey (No. 34) were the next three receivers off the board. McConkey was second among all rookie receivers with 82 receptions and 1,149 yards with seven touchdowns for the Chargers this season.
View photos of the Detroit Lions offensive linemen from the 2024 NFL season.
Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 27, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 22, 2024 in Glendale, Ariz. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 30, 2024 in Santa Clara. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15, 2024 in Detroit. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 22, 2024 in Glendale, Ariz. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 30, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Jamarco Jones (72) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on October 24, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 22, 2024 in Chicago. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Michael Niese (62) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during an NFC Divisional Round playoff football game against the Washington Commanders on January 18, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 8, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 5, 2024 in Detroit. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Nov. 10, 2024 in Houston. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 30, 2024 in Santa Clara. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 5, 2024 in Detroit. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Nov. 10, 2024 in Houston. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 30, 2024 in Santa Clara. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 3, 2024 in Green Bay, Wis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) reporting eligible during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 8, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 30, 2024 in Santa Clara. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15, 2024 in Detroit. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) and Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler (71) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 28, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler (71) during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler (71) during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Jan. 5, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler (71), Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 22, 2024 in Glendale, Ariz. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
2023: DE Myles Murphy, Clemson
Drafted by Cincinnati
Murphy played in 17 games as a rookie and recorded 3.0 sacks and three tackles for loss. In 13 games this year, he did not record a sack and had just one tackle for loss and four quarterback hits.
Draft ranking: Cincinnati got a rotational edge player with limited sack production and no starts in two seasons.
Possible better pick: Linebacker Nolan Smith was taken two picks later by Philadelphia and became a key starter in his second season for a terrific Eagles defense, recording 6.5 sacks in the regular season and four more in the playoffs.
2022: DT Devonte Wyatt, Georgia
Drafted by Green Bay
Wyatt has become a nice rotational player along Green Bay's defensive line recording 5.5 and 5.0 sacks, respectively, the last two seasons to go along with 15 tackles for loss.
Draft ranking: Green Bay got a consistently productive rotational player along the interior of their defensive line. Good pick.
Possible better pick: George Karlaftis was selected two picks later by Kansas City and the edge rusher has recorded 24.5 sacks and 24 tackles for loss in three seasons as a 44-game starter.
2021: DE Payton Turner, Houston
Drafted by New Orleans
Turner dealt with a number of injuries early in his career and played in just 15 games total his first three seasons. He played in 16 games this past season with 2.0 sacks and three tackles for loss.
Draft ranking: Injuries have been a big storyline so far in his career and haven't allowed him to be a truly productive player.
Possible better pick: Greg Rousseau was the next edge rusher selected two picks later by Buffalo and he has 25.0 sacks and six forced fumbles as a four-year starter along the Bills' defensive line.
2020: LB Patrick Queen
Drafted by Baltimore
Queen was named Second-Team All-Pro in 2023 and has been a Pro Bowler in each of the last two seasons. He signed a three-year $41 million free-agent contract with Pittsburgh last offseason and recorded 129 tackles and six tackles for loss for the Steelers this season.
Draft ranking: Queen was a home-run pick for the Ravens late in the first round.
Possible better pick: Queen has started all 84 games he's played in over the last five seasons. There were eight Pro Bowl players selected in the second round of this draft including Xavier McKinney, Robert Hunt, Jonathan Taylor, Antoine Winfield, Jaylon Johnson and Jalen Hurts, but Queen is right up there among the best linebackers in the NFL.
2019: DT Jerry Tillery
Drafted by Los Angeles Chargers
Tillery has played for three teams in six years, the most recent being Minnesota in 2024 where he made an appearance in 17 games with 11 starts. His best season came in Los Angeles in 2021 when he recorded 51 tackles (24 solo) and 4.5 sacks.
Draft ranking: Tillery had some solid seasons in LA, but the team ultimately declined his fifth-year option and released him in November of his fourth season.
Possible better pick: Kaleb McGary was taken at No. 31 by Atlanta and has been a six-year starter at tackle, signing a three-year $34.5 million extension in 2023.
2018: S Terrell Edmunds
Drafted by Pittsburgh
Edmunds had five good seasons in Pittsburgh, making 75 starts. He had 105 tackles in 2019 and had at least 68 tackles in every season with Pittsburgh. After leaving the Steelers in 2023, he bounced around to four other teams making just eight starts.
Draft ranking: The Steelers got a productive five-year starter out of this late first-round pick. That's a win in my book.
Possible better pick: Lamar Jackson was taken four picks later by Baltimore. The Steelers still had Super Bowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the time, but he would only guide Pittsburgh to the playoffs in two of his last four seasons from 2018 to 2021.
View photos of Detroit Lions players competing at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Florida.
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) celebrates an interception at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrate after the 2025 Pro Bowl Games Championship on Sunday, February 2, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) introduced with the defensive backs at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) returns a conversion attempt interception at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) catches a pass from Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) takes a lateral from Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) snaps to Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) with Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) in the backfield at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) returns a conversion attempt interception at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) and Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) celebrate Gibbs' conversion attempt interception at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) returns a conversion attempt interception at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cheerleader Kendall at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) intercepts a conversion attempt at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) returns a conversion attempt interception at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) catches a pass at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cheerleader Kendall at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cheerleader Kendall at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) wins his leg of tug of war at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) introduced with the quarterbacks at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) celebrates the NFC relay race win with New Orleans Saints center Erik McCoy (78) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) celebrates his winning leg of tug of war at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) participates in tug of war at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) and Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) introduced with the offensive linemen at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) introduced with the offensive linemen at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) introduced with the special teamers at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) introduced with the running backs at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) celebrates with the defense at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during a relay race at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) blitzes the quarterback at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) celebrates with the defense at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) celebrates an NFC relay race win at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) flips a tire during a relay race at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) flips a tire during a relay race at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) participates in the perfect punt challenge at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) catches a pass at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) celebrate a defensive stop by the NFC at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Pro Bowlers react to the punt challenge going to overtime at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) participates in overtime during the perfect punt challenge at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) participates in the perfect punt challenge at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) celebrates an interception at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) celebrates an interception with Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) and his NFC teammates at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) and Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) intercepts a pass at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77), Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrate a score at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) celebrates a score with Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) celebrates an interception with Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) and his NFC teammates at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) catches a pass from Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, FL on February 2, 2025. (Stuart Zaas/Detroit Lions via AP)
NFC center Frank Ragnow (77) competes in the Big Spike at the Skills Competition, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
NFC's Taylor Decker (68) and Brian Branch (32) compete in dodge ball during the Skills Competition, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
NFC quarterback Jared Goff (16) competes in Passing the Test during the Skills Competition, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
NFC quarterback Jared Goff (16) competes in Passing the Test during the Skills Competition, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
NFC center Frank Ragnow (77) competes in the Big Spike at the Skills Competition, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
NFC's Taylor Decker (68) and Brian Branch (32) compete in dodge ball during the Skills Competition, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
2017: DE Taco Charlton, Michigan
Drafted by Dallas
Charlton's tenure in Dallas was one of the shortest ever for a first-round pick by the Cowboys, lasting just two years. He was released two weeks into his third season in 2019. He last played in Chicago in 2022 and has 11.5 career sacks.
Draft ranking: Never lived up to his sack production at Michigan (28).
Possible better pick: The next two picks were Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku at No. 29 and four-time All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt at No. 30 to Pittsburgh.
2016: G Joshua Garnett, Stanford
Drafted by San Francisco
Garnett played in 15 games with 11 starts at guard as a rookie in the 2016 season. He missed 2017 with a knee injury and 2018 with toe and thumb injuries and was released before the 2019 season. He was waived by Detroit in August 2020 and played three games with Washington in 2020 before announcing his retirement in October of that season.
Draft ranking: Never worked out for him. Garnett was considered the second best interior O-line prospect in this draft behind Alabama's Ryan Kelly (drafted No. 18 by Colts) and the 49ers only got 11 starts out of him total in two seasons. He could never overcome the early injury troubles.
Possible better pick: Edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah was taken at No. 32 by Cleveland and has a nine-year career with 47.5 sacks.
2015: G Laken Tomlinson, Duke
Drafted by Detroit
Tomlinson played two seasons in Detroit, making 24 starts before being traded to San Francisco in August 2019 for a fifth-round draft pick after losing his starting job to Graham Glasgow and T.J. Lang.
Draft ranking: It's hard to say it was a bad draft pick as Tomlinson has since carved out a 10-year career, starting every game he's played in with the 49ers, Jets and Seahawks. He has 155 NFL starts. It was maybe more a case of a previous Lions regime not realizing what they had.
Possible better pick: DT Malcom Brown was taken by New England at No. 32 and he played 106 games with 97 starts for three teams, recording 304 career tackles and 27 tackles for loss.
