There always seems to be one guy that falls..."Way back in December Danny Amendola Jersey , ESPN’s Todd McShay mocked Kentucky pass rusher Josh Allen to the Detroit Lions with the ninth overall pick. Since that moment, there has been an increasing consensus that Allen is too good of a prospect to drop that far to the Lions. But the tide is starting to shift back a little bit. With unbelievable NFL Combine performances from Montez Sweat and D.K. Metcalf, the Cardinals’ supposed obsession with Kyler Murray, and the Giants in full rebuild mode(?), suddenly the top seven picks in the 2019 NFL Draft are as uncertain as ever. As a result, Allen is back in play for the Lions with the eighth overall pick, at least according to The Ringer’s Brian Kelly. In his latest mock draft Christian Jones Jersey White , the Lions snag Allen as the third edge defender off the board. Here’s a look at the picks leading up to Detroit:Arizona Cardinals - QB Kyler MurraySan Francisco 49ers - EDGE Nick BosaNew York Jets - DT Quinnen WilliamsOakland Raiders - EDGE Montez SweatTampa Bay Buccaneers - WR D.K. MetcalfNew York Giants - QB Dwayne HaskinsJacksonville Jaguars - OT Jawaan TaylorFor a lot of Lions fans, this would have been a dream scenario two weeks ago. The Lions’ need for an edge rusher is certainly smaller now that the team inked Trey Flowers to a monster five-year deal, but Allen is still a top-tier talent in this draft. There may be other pressing needs for Detroit at this point, but it’d be hard to pass up on Allen if he fell this far.Additionally, Allen could be a long-term plan at the JACK linebacker position. Though the Lions signed Devon Kennard to a three-year deal in 2018 to fill that role, his first year was just okay and Detroit could easily get out of his contract prior to the 2020 season if they had someone better. This feels unlikely to happen on draft day, but teams have to prepare for the unexpected. Every year Ricky Wagner Jersey White , it seems a prospect that many believed to be a can’t-miss talent slips in the draft, leading to an NFL team getting a “steal” somewhere in the first round. Maybe this year it’s the Lions and Josh Allen.Thursday night open thread: Falcons vs. Eagles Tonight, the journey to Atlanta begins. The Atlanta Falcons travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles as the regular season kicks off on Thursday Night Football. The emphatic return of meaningful football comes in the form of a rematch of the NFC divisional round of the playoffs, when the Eagles bested the Falcons 15-10 in a game that came down to the wire. The biggest narrative within the Eagles organization is the quarterback situation, with backup Nick Foles poised to start the opener. Carson Wentz, on the verge of returning from last season’s torn ACL, is being treated with caution in what is dubbed a long-term decision for the franchise.On the other sideline Tracy Walker Jersey White , many eyes will be on quarterback Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ offense. Ryan regressed significantly last season following his MVP year under then offensive coordinator and now San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. New offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian’s offense didn’t seem to mesh well with Ryan, and while the Falcons quieted concerns regarding the compatibility of the two over the offseason, many eyes will be on Ryan as he takes on a stout Eagles defense. How to watchThe game will be broadcast on NBC, kickoff is at 8:20 p.m. EST.Who or what will you be keeping an eye on Thursday night? Will Matt Ryan come out on fire, or will Jim Schwartz’s brilliance quell the Falcons offense? Can Nick Foles continue last year’s magic? Let us know in the comments.
