Detroit Lions: Todd McShay Replaces Stephen Tulloch in New Mock Draft

In his second mock draft of the 2016 NFL Draft cycle, ESPN’s Todd McShay selects a long-term answer at middle linebacker for the Detroit Lions.

With Stephen Tulloch‘s time with the Detroit Lions is widely speculated to end in a move to save salary cap space, middle linebacker is a need this offseason.

They could look to re-sign Tahir Whitehead and make him their full-time middle linebacker – an course of action that seems to be Whitehead’s preference – or they could look to the external free agent market next month. Free agency is generally a better solution for shorter-term fixes while filling needs through the draft comes with a longer-term view.

With that in mind, it is no surprise to see mock drafts tabbing Alabama inside linebacker Reggie Ragland for the Lions. ESPN’s Todd McShay was the latest to do so in his second mock draft of the 2016 NFL Draft cycle.

More from Detroit Lions

• Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
• Signing This Former Pro-Bowl CB Would Be Huge Mistake for Lions
• Forecasting the Rest of This Lions Season (Score Predictions)
• Lions Get Exciting Injury Update on Rookie QB Hendon Hooker
• Betting Preview: Best Bets for Lions vs. Packers Thanksgiving Day Game

McShay offers the following with the pick:

"This is a tone-setting player in the middle of the defense, which is exactly what the Lions need. Ragland could fall because of positional value and team needs, but I could make an argument that he’s one of the 10 best pure football players in this year’s draft. He showed excellent power at the point of attack and has very good straight-line speed for his size."

With most draft site big boards ranking Ragland somewhere in the teens, the Lions drafting him at number 16 is a good mix of need and value. Nick Saban isn’t exactly an unbiased source on the matter but he called Ragland a sure top-15 pick. Ragland returned to school after receiving a second round evaluation from the draft advisory committee last year.

The pick is a change from McShay’s first mock for two reasons.

More from Detroit Jock City

• Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
• Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
• Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
• This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
• 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings

For one, his first mock was published in mid-December when the Lions were projected to end up with a higher pick. McShay’s mock was published just before the Lions went on a three-game winning streak to finish out the season, moving them from the seventh pick at the time of McShay’s first mock to their final position picking 16th.

For two, the player McShay picked for the Lions in his first mock, Mississippi offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, is off the board with the third pick this time around. Even back then, Tunsil with the seventh pick sounded overly optimistic and sentiment has only increased that Tunsil is a worthy top five pick.