A new era in Detroit is among us! The Beard Era. Matt Patricia comes to the Lions with his aeronautical expertise, his fantastically ungroomed facial hair, and his dynamic defensive mastermind. In a time when Detroit sports are in chaos, we again have hope that Stafford will hold the Lombardi Trophy. In this post, I will take the GM reigns and see if I can bring the Lion’s Den to the next level in the 2018 draft.

After hours of research, watching highlight videos, and feeding into the offseason hype I’ve thrown together a 7 round mock draft for my Cardiac Cats. However, I am crossing my fingers that we trade back in the first round for an additional second or third round pick. Below are the needs in the order I feel most important:

 

OFFSEASON NEEDS: OG/C, DT, DE, OLB, RB, S

 

EVB’s MOCK DRAFT 2018

Round 1: Pick 20

My Choice: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida Info

• Specs: 6’4”, 291lbs
• Strengths: Well some view Taven Bryan as a project, I truly believe that his versatility on the defensive line is key. With the ability to rush the passer from the inside and transition to the outside he is hard to pass up.
• Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkRFCVz8mCY

Alternative: Will Hernandez, OG, Texas El Paso Info

• Specs: 6’2”, 348lbs

Other Round 1 Prospects:

• Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State Info
• Harold Landry, DE, Boston College Info
• Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas San Antonio Info

Round 2: Pick 51

My Choice: Frank Ragnow, OG/C, Arkansas Info

• Specs: 6’5”, 309lbs
• Strengths: This man didn’t allow a sack in 4 years with consistency across the line at guard and center. Get this man in the locker room however you can!
• Film: You don’t want to watch film on offensive linemen lol

Alternative: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan Info

• Specs: 6’2”, 282lbs

Other Round 2 Prospects:

• Justin Reid, S, Stanford Info
• Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia Info
• Austin Corbett, OG, Nevada Info

Round 3: Pick 82

My Choice: Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn Info

• Specs: 6’0”, 212lbs
• Strengths: What I love most about Johnson is his patience as a runner and ability to follow his blockers. I would be lying if I told you this wasn’t my draft crush, but the Lions haven’t seen a runner like this in a while.
• Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt8BoCxXjKc

Alternative: Lorenzo Carter, EDGE, Georgia Info

• Specs: 6”6”, 250lbs

Other Round 3 Prospects:

• Tim Settle, DT, Virginia Tech Info
• Darius Leonard, ILB/OLB, South Carolina State Info
• Chad Thomas, DE, Miami Info

Round 4: Pick 113

My Choice: Chris Herndon, TE, Miami Info

• Specs: 6’4”, 245
• Strengths: Herndon has a high athletic ceiling with under the radar production. He would provide great competition for our current TE group with a great combination of blocking and yards after the catch.
• Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3WPHWpSJqo

Alternative: Duke Ejiofor, EDGE, Wake Forest Info

• Specs: 6’4”, 270

Other Round 4 Prospects:

• B.J. Hill, DT, N.C. State Info
• RJ Mcintosh, DL, Miami Info
• Matt Pryor, OG, TCU Info

Round 5: Pick 144

My Choice: Genard Avery, LB, Memphis Info

• Specs: 6’1” 248lbs
• Strengths: You have to watch Genard on tape. He knows where to be, finishes plays well, and brings a real strength to the outside of a linebacker crew. With experience outside, inside, and added value on special teams, I am sure he is on a lot of teams radars.
• Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRGit7VBaL4

Alternative: Tre’Quan Smith, WR, Central Florida Info

• Specs: 6’1”, 210lbs, 4.49 40 yard dash

Other Round 5 Prospects:

• Tyler Conklin, TE, Central Michigan Info
• Trayvon Henderson, S, Hawaii Info
• Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin Info

Round 7: Pick 211

My Choice: Damon Webb, S, Ohio State Info

• Specs: 5’11”, 195lbs
• Strengths: Detroit native with great football intelligence. Had three interceptions in his last five games and could help us start as strong as last year in the turnover game (+/-). Our seventh round will most likely be added as a special team addition or role player.
• Film: https://www.nfl.com/prospects/damon-webb?id=32462018-0002-5600-567b-
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Alternative: Mike Ford, CB, Southeast Missouri State Info

• Specs: 5’11, 196lbs

Other Round 7 Prospects:

• Greg Senat, OT, Wagner Info
• Vyncint Smith, WR, Limestone Info
• Javon Rolland Jones, OLB, Arkansas St. Info

Invite as Undrafted FA

• Jeremiah Briscoe, QB, Sam Houston State
• Donnie Ernsberger, FB, Western Michigan
• Matthew Gono, OG, Wesley Info
• Montell Cozart, QB/WR, Boise State Info
• Amari Coleman, CB, Central Michigan Info
• J. Howard, FS, Appalachian State
• Brandon Bean, WR, GVSU Info
• Frankie Luvu, LB, Washington State

 

Can’t wait to watch and see if Bob Quinn reads my blog on draft day! Feel free to join the conversation here by leaving a message or hit up my brothers over on Rain City Roar for any draft day questions or concerns.

Stay casual until next Tie Tuesday!

EVB

Here are the links to my past mock drafts: 2016 | 2017 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021