Daily DLP: Mailbag Time! - Detroit Lions Podcast

Mailbag Mode, Straight From Slack

Jeff Risdon opened a Friday Detroit Lions Podcast with a true mailbag. Questions came straight from the DLP Patreon Slack. No prep. No cue cards. Honest reactions, with the caveat he might tweak opinions later. It made for sharp talk about the Detroit Lions, the NFL draft, and one spicy coaching debate.

Draft Talk: Tackle Targets and Fits

Asked for a favorite offensive tackle for Detroit, Risdon spotlighted Caleb Tiernan of Northwestern. He called Tiernan solid, not spectacular, and praised how seldom he loses. That reliability matters. He drew a line to what the Lions missed at right guard when Kevin Zeitler was at his best. Rarely beaten. He thinks Tiernan is a second round target who can be a long-term capable starter rather than a headline Pro Bowler.

He also likes the Utah tackles if the first round is the move. Caleb Lomu got the nod for upside. Manu, he said, looks better right now, but Lomu offers more raw clay, especially if he boosts lower-body power. Blake Miller from Clemson earned a mention too. The traits are there. The misses can be loud, reminiscent of early Taylor Decker. Miller did take a step forward this past season.

Big picture, with Sewell already a star, the Lions do not need two high-priced stars at tackle. They need the right complement. Tiernan’s profile fits that lane.

Coaching Watch: Kafka’s Fit in Detroit

Mike Kafka came up next. Risdon pushed back on pinning the Giants’ struggles on Kafka after Brian Daboll reclaimed play-calling. He remains a Kafka fan. What impressed him most was Kafka’s ability to craft run and pass protections that a limited offensive line could actually execute. That translates to Detroit.

Risdon did note a concern. When a featured weapon was healthy, the Giants leaned too hard on that player. He cautioned that in Detroit, with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, smart balance matters. Do not ride Gibbs into the ground. Still, he would welcome Kafka’s protection design and problem-solving into Allen Park.

Divisional Weekend Leanings

On the NFL divisional slate, he paused to confirm matchups, then zeroed on Bills versus Broncos. He likes teams without the bye against rusty top seeds, especially when the bye team lacks recent experience. Denver’s defense and home field carry real weight. The flip side is Josh Allen. Sharp quarterback play can shred rust. Risdon weighed that tension on air as he worked toward a pick.

The mailbag did what the best Detroit Lions Podcast episodes do. It put clear football problems on the table. Draft fits. Scheme translation. Game-state nuance. Straight talk for a playoff push.

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