Folks of a certain age might remember the decree, “Don’t trust anyone over 30”. That Baby Boomer mantra doesn’t mean much in the modern Detroit Lions locker room.
Only one current Lions player qualifies as a veteran authority figure over the age of 30.
Defensive lineman Michael Brockers is the greybeard of the entire roster. He’s 31. Nobody else on the Lions is even 29, let alone 30. Right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai is next on the age list, and he’ll turn 29 in June. Tight end Garrett Griffin, left tackle Taylor Decker and long snapper Scott Daly are the other current 28-year-olds in Detroit.
The Lions are trusting the advice of the hippies on the age front.
By way of comparison, the Lions have four players who are just 21. First-round picks Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams, third-rounder Kerby Joseph and returning right tackle Penei Sewell are all still 21. Williams was barely legal to enjoy an adult beverage to celebrate his draft; the Alabama WR turned 21 in late March.