NFL Draft 2016: Detroit Lions Seven-Round Mock Draft
By Zac Snyder
The Lions are without their original third round pick because of a 2015 draft day trade that sent the pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for the fourth round pick used to draft defensive tackle Gabe Wright. However, the Lions are expected to receive a compensatory pick for losing Ndamukong Suh in the last free agency period. Overthecap.com projects the pick to be the first compensatory pick at the end of the third round, number 96 overall.
With that pick the Lions could look to address the offensive line with Stanford’s Kyle Murphy. The strategy (intended or otherwise) to fill the right tackle spot with late-round picks and undrafted free agents. Michael Williams was traded and turned back into a jumbo tight end by the Patriots, La Adrian Waddle was released, Cornelius Lucas still looks like depth only and Corey Robinson is a developmental player. Michael Ola played well after being picked up during the season but the Lions can and should look to do better this offseason.
Murphy played left tackle for the Cardinal but doesn’t figure to supplant Riley Reiff as the protector of Matthew Stafford‘s blind side. That’s just fine because he can be an improvement over what the Lions have featured on the right side and defenses now bring outside pressure from both the left and right side. Just look at what pass rushers did against right tackles in Super Bowl 50.
Next: Round 4