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Temple linebacker Haason Reddick is high on the Lions' wish list, though a trade could be required to get him. .

(AP File Photo)

This is the seventh of an seven-part series previewing the Detroit Lions' positional needs and priorities heading into the NFL draft. The installments are ordered by need, starting with where help is needed the least and ending where it's needed the most.

7. Quarterback

6. Offensive line

5. Defensive back

4. Running back

3. Receiver/tight end

2. Defensive line

1. Linebacker

Current starters: Tahir Whitehead

Current reserves: Paul Worrilow, Antwione Williams, Thurston Armbrister, Nick Bellore, Brandon Chubb, Steve Longa

Best in class: Alabama's Reuben Foster, Temple's Haason Reddick, Florida's Jarrad Davis

First-round possibilities for Detroit (21st overall): Reddick, Davis, Wisconsin's T.J. Watt

Day 2-3 fits: Watt, Vanderbilt's Zach Cunningham, Houston's Tyus Bowser, Alabama's Tim Williams, Florida's Alex Anzalone, Ohio State's Raekwon McMillan

Late-round possibilities: Michigan's Ben Gedeon, San Diego State's Calvin Munson, Missouri State's Dylan Cole

Breakdown: Bob Quinn says he'll take the best player available at 21st overall, and that's what he should say. And it's mostly true too. Five years from now, nobody will remember the Lions plugging in a weak-side linebacker in 2017 if they passed on the next-great receiver or tight end to do it. But that doesn't mean need isn't a factor either. Truth be told, the best pick will be at the nexus of best player, best fit, and best value.

With that said, the Lions' needs dictate they have no choice but to acquire a linebacker in this draft. And because they need that linebacker to play right away, they have to do it early. They can go another direction in the first round if they like somebody else more, but they can ill-afford to head into Saturday with no additions at the position.

That's the spot they're in after the linebacker play dipped to catastrophic levels last season. They couldn't rush the passer, finishing with a whopping zero sacks, and couldn't cover the ball once it was thrown either. They allowed 83.2 percent of passes targeted their way to be caught, and a QB rating of 120.4. Both ranked last in the league.

Now they've ousted half the guys who started games, trading Kyle Van Noy to New England, cutting DeAndre Levy and declining to re-sign Josh Bynes (so far). That leaves Tahir Whitehead as the lone returner with experience, and that experience hasn't exactly been a good one lately. He had 132 tackles last year, but was the second-worst inside linebacker in the league according to ProFootballFocus, and fourth worst against the pass. He allowed a catch every three times he was in coverage. That's not bad, it's a clown show.

Detroit hopes Antwione Williams develops in Year 2, and it raided Atlanta's bench to add Paul Worrilow. But it would be a precarious proposition to count on either as a full-time starter. That's why it's so important for the Lions to add a linebacker sometime on the first two days, preferably one who can cover some territory against the pass. And that's why somebody like Haason Reddick would be an ideal fit.

The Temple defensive lineman was a mid-round prospect at the start of the offseason, but exploded up boards after dropping back to linebacker at the Senior Bowl. Then he blew up the combine, working out with the linemen but posting numbers that would have ranked atop the linebacker class too. He has the athleticism to work sideline to sideline in coverage, while his background up front should help him get after the passer as well. If you're talking about dream scenarios for Detroit on Thursday night, Reddick falling to 21 is right there.

If he's not -- and at this point, that seems like the likeliest outcome -- Florida's Jarrad Davis could get a long look. He sat out drills at the combine while recovering from injury but blew away his pro day with a showcase of strength and speed that had scouts foaming at the mouth. He looks like he could be an immediate upgrade in the pass rush and run game, and he's got the athleticism to cover the pass if he can sort out some technique issues. He also has the intangibles and character profile that Detroit covets these days.

The Lions reportedly have been high on T.J. Watt as well, a violent defender against both the run and pass. But the problem with him is 21 could be a little high, while 53rd overall almost certainly will be too low. Barring a trade, he might be in no-man's land for Detroit.

If the Lions do get into Day 2 without a linebacker, expect Tyus Bowser to draw considerable interest. There's something about 8.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss -- in eight games -- that appeals to a team without playmaking linebackers. And Zach Cunningham is one of the best-run stuffing linebackers in the draft, though his pass coverage might be more inconsistent than Detroit would like.