The 2018 NFL Draft is finally here, and for football fans across the US, tonight is like Christmas in July - or April depending on your preference. The draft for many fans marks the official start to the new season, and for good reason. It is an excellent chance for your favorite team to improve their chances of winning the next Super Bowl by either drafting a great player or trading away their draft selections for an experienced veteran.

In Detroit, many Lions fans believe that their team is ready to take the next step towards winning the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2018.

Detroit has had some success over the past three seasons, however with key free agent additions this offseason, and new coaching staff, fans are ready to see this team win the NFC North and host a playoff game.

To do so, the Lions have to improve one area of their game dramatically - running the football.

Time to run

According to a Freep report, most NFL Mock Drafts have the Detroit Lions selecting defensive studs like Rashaan Evans, a linebacker out of Alabama or defensive tackle Taven Bryan from the University of Florida. While both have the potential to be great players in the NFL, the Lions must get a running back. Yes, it is a must.

If you live in Detroit or are just a long-suffering Lions fan like myself, you know that the Lions have been one of the worst teams rushing the ball over the past decade.

Detroit once again finished near the bottom of the NFL last season on converting 3rd down and 1, and 3rd down and less than 5. That is unacceptable! It is time to make a splash, and today is the day to do it.

Saquon Barkley best option, but….

Most experts believe that Saquon Barkley will be a top ten selection, and for good reason.

Barkley has the same look that Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette had coming out of college. The odds of Detroit trading up to obtain Barkley are slim, but it is nice to dream.

While Barkley is the player I would sell out for tonight, there are other very good options.

Most NFL gurus believe that running backs Nick Chubb (Georgia) Derrius Guice (LSU) and Sony Michel (Georgia) will be available when the Lions select at No.

20 overall this evening.

They are all solid. Personally, I would choose Guice first, but if he were already gone, the order would be Chubb, then Michel, but I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them.

SB Nation is indicating that many teams are concerned about a bone-on-bone condition in Michel’s knee. Now you have to take that report with a grain of salt. If you look hard enough, you will find an old injury or something from almost every player's past that will make you think…”I like this guy, but…”

The truth is this. No one knows which players will become stars and which won’t - just ask sixth-round selection, Tom Brady.

In the Lions’ case, they need to take pressure off quarterback Matt Stafford.

Opposing teams know Detroit struggles in the run game, which lets the defense strictly focus on Stafford and the wideouts as the game progresses. Sure, the Lions did sign LeGarrette Blount, which is a great move, but he isn’t the future. If the Lions can keep Blount, who is currently signed to a one-year deal, and add a quality runner in the draft, it should help Stafford and the offense tremendously.
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