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NFL Draft 2016: Detroit Lions Seven-Round Mock Draft

By Zac Snyder

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) during the game against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland (19) during the game against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Assuming Stephen Tulloch is released to avoid his $7.3 million cap hit, the Lions will need to plug in a new starter at middle linebacker. Re-signing Tahir Whitehead to take over in the middle full time is an option, but the Lions could find a long-term solution with Reggie Ragland, the consensus top inside linebacker in this draft.

With free agency before the draft, the Lions could opt to re-sign Whitehead and pencil him in at middle linebacker but shift him back outside should they take up the opportunity to draft Ragland.

With the 16th overall pick, Ragland would be an obvious need pick but wouldn’t represent a reach as he has been consistently mentioned as a pick somewhere in the teens in a variety of mock drafts. and Drafting Ragland would be an excellent start for Bob Quinn’s first draft as Detroit Lions GM, and if what I”m seeing on Twitter is a good representation, drafting Ragland would make a lot of Lions fans happy.

Next: Round 2

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