Lions' Day 3 steal is getting more buzz than anyone expected

Not everyone is a fan of how the Detroit Lions approached the draft, but many have come around in the aftermath of the process to praise some of the franchise's various selections.

Most of the frustration around Detroit's draft centers around the fact that the Lions didn't add early pass-rush help off the edge and also made what many see as a risky decision to trade up for unproven receiver Isaac TeSlaa.

It's rare that a favorite pick for a team would be found in the seventh round, but that's exactly what PFF and Trevor Sikkema see in Detroit. Sikkema named his favorite selections for every team in the draft, and surprisingly, pick No. 230, Dan Jackson, was the Lions' choice.

"The Lions' early picks were great, too; I gave them a B+ grade. But Dan Jackson, the walk-on-turned-starter for Georgia, can be a special teams eraser and fill in as a rotational safety for Detroit. His PFF run-defense grade was lower in 2024, but he can make impressive tackles from depth at full speed," writes Sikkema.

Coming into the draft, it was clear the Lions needed safety depth. At the very least, Jackson will provide that element and should be a fantastic upgrade on special teams. That's a spot where Jackson could get the most run immediately if he cracks the roster out of training camp, and he could be a force there, given his tough mindset.

With the Lions adding a pair of defensive linemen, two potentially elite guards, and two wide receivers, the fact that a walk-on safety stands out as the draft's top addition for Sikkema is certainly interesting to note.

Brad Holmes wasted no time praising Dan Jackson's attributes after NFL draft

General manager Brad Holmes made it clear that while it might have been a surprise for some to see a walk-on selected in the draft, the Lions were impressed by Jackson during the process. His gritty approach and ability to be a force around the football were factors that Detroit couldn't ignore in the end.

"We've always had a liking for Dan Jackson, just in terms of (him) being a heady safety," said Holmes. "He's gotten his hands on the football, and a lot of it is above the neck. He's actually faster than what a lot of people think. He's been at the Senior Bowl, so he put together a nice little year."

Listening to Holmes, it seems as if the Lions believe Jackson can be a glue player for the roster moving forward, no matter how much he sees the field. That matches the love he is getting in other places following the completion of the draft.