Continuing on my NFL draft coverage, I have decided to take on a project that is near and dear to my heart. The Detroit Lions. Every year we are given new hope after a seemingly awful letdown the season prior. With Marty Mayhew, Tom Lewand, and several others no longer with the organization, the Bob Quinn era has begun. I’ve enjoyed the offseason moves thus far, and have decided to let him know through my blog who the Lions should pick in all seven rounds of the NFL Draft. Their ten selections are below with the top choices and who I believe they should pick!
2016 Lions Draft Picks:
First round: No. 16 overall selection
Top Choices: Jack Conklin, OT (Michigan State), Taylor Decker, OT (Ohio State), Jarran Reed, DL (Alabama), Jaylon Smith, OLB (Notre Dame), Shaq Lawson, DE (Clemson)
My Choice: Taylor Decker, OT (Ohio State)
Analysis: The bottom line is our offensive line didn’t get the job done after our last draft trade/pick involving Manny Ramirez and Laken Tomlinson. I believe we should continue to bolster our o-line for the safety of Matt Stafford and hopefully the improvement of our lowly 83.4 yards per game rushing attack. Decker beats out Conklin by a slim margin with his large left tackle frame.
Second round: No. 46 overall selection
Top Choices: Jason Spriggs, OT (Indiana), Germain Ifedi, OT (Texas A&M), Kendall Fuller, CB (Virginia Tech), Vernon Butler, DT (Lousiana Tech), Robert Nkemdiche, DT (Ole Miss), Jonathan Bullard, DT (Florida), Adolphus Washington, DT (Ohio State), TJ Green, S (Clemson)
My Choice: Vernon Butler, DT (Lousiana Tech)
Analysis: If last year wasn’t an indication of Ndamukong Suh’s ability, I don’t know what would be. The opposing offenses were able to gain roughly 40 more yards per game on the ground. The lions need to add depth to an aging interior defensive line and Vernon Butler out of Lousiana Tech fits the bill. The Lions have shown a clear interest, and why wouldn’t they love this productive beast of a man!
Third round: No. 95 overall selection
Top Choices: Mackensie Alexander, CB (Clemson), Austin Hooper, TE (Stanford), Jeremy Cash, S (Duke), Sean Davis, S (Maryland), Shon Coleman, OT (Auburn) , Caleb Benenoch, OT (UCLA)
My Choice: Mackensie Alexander, CB (Clemson)
Analysis: Analysts have Alexander all over the board in terms of where he will be drafted, but I believe with some prayers and luck the lions will still have a chance to grab him in the third round. Rashean Mathis retiring leaves a large hole in the secondary, so acquiring depth is crucial.
Fourth round: No. 111 overall selection
Top Choices: Jack Allen, C (Michigan State), Graham Glasgow (Michigan), Joe Dahl, OT (Washington State), Daryl Worley, CB (West Virginia)
My Choice: Jack Allen, C (Michigan State)
Analysis: In my opinion, Jack Allen is one of the most technically sound centers in the draft. Travis Swanson is sadly not cutting it. I would be happy with Glasgow or Allen in this pick, but I bleed green 🙂
Fifth round: No. 151 overall selection
Top Choices: Jonathan Jones, CB (Auburn), Sebastian Tretola, G (Arkansas), Jordan Jenkins, LB (Georgia)
My Choice: Jordan Jenkins, OLB (Georgia)
Analysis: With the hopes of having Deandre Levy back and pushing Tahir Whitehead to the inside, outside linebacker is a clear need. Jenkins has shown high football IQ and would have an opportunity to fight for a starting role as a fifth rounder.
Fifth round: No. 169 overall selection
Top Choices: Vincent Valentine, DT (Nebraska), Luther Maddy, DT (Virginia Tech), Anthony Zettel, DT/DE (Penn State), Antonio Glover, S (Georgia Southern)
My Choice: Anthony Zettel, DT/DE (Penn State)
Analysis: This guy doesn’t give up on a play. Apparently he is a mean lumberjack as well, which automatically intrigues me. We need help on the outside to pair with Ziggy Ansah, and a strong hustle player is the answer.
Sixth round: No. 191 overall selection
Top Choices: Kevin Hogan, QB (Stanford), Brandon Allen, QB (Arkansas), Matt Johnson, QB (Bowling Green), Jerald Hawkins, OT (LSU), Ryker Matthews, OT (BYU),
My Choice: Kevin Hogan, QB (Stanford)
Analysis: While not as technically sound as all the quarterbacks in the draft, Hogan is an extremely intelligent being and as tough as nails. Jim Bob Cooter will have a fun project ahead of him.
Sixth round: No. 202 overall selection
Top Choices: Jayron Kearse, S (Clemson), Cole Toner, OT (Havard), Joe Haeg, OT (North Dakota State), Chase Farris, OT (Ohio State), KJ Dillon, S (West Virginia)
My Choice: KJ Dillon, S (West Virginia)
Analysis: The Lions didn’t mess around this offseason signing Rafael Bush and Tavon, but they sure met with a lot of safeties entering the draft. KJ Dillon is a great late round athletic snag that could find himself in a fierce depth chart battle.
Sixth Round: No. 210 overall selection
Top Choices: Darius Jackson, RB (Eastern Michigan), Matt Judon, DE (GVSU), Chris Moore, WR (Cincinnati), Jay Lee, WR (Baylor), Trevor Davis, WR (Cal)
My Choice: Darius Jackson, RB (Eastern Michigan)
Analysis: Who is Darius Jackson? That is a great question. I honestly didn’t know who he was until I started researching for this blog. Although the Eastern Michigan Eagles had a terrible season, this kid has all the intangibles of a shifty power back. Have you seen many 6’0”, 220-pound men run 4.35 40 yard dashes? Neither have I. After the loss of Joique Bell, the Lions will look to the late rounds for an athlete with something to prove.
Seventh round: No. 236 overall selection
Top Choices: Blake Countess, CB (Auburn), Ryan Smith, CB (NC Central), Anthony Brown, CB (Purdue), Trevon Coley, DT (Florida Atlantic), Bralon Addison, WR (Oregon), Lawrence Thomas, DE (Michigan State), Joe Haeg, OT (North Dakota State)
My Choice: Joe Haeg, OT (North Dakota State)
Analysis: The Lions will look to make something out of nothing by drafting a plug-n-play o-linemen with their last pick of the draft.
Reach out to me with your thoughts and arguments @evbtuesdays or comment directly below. If you like what you read, please subscribe to my email list on the homepage to follow my Tie Tuesday’s journey!
Stay casual until next Tuesday!
EVB
Here are the links to my past mock drafts: 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021
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