The Detroit Lions are expected to have ten picks in the seven rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft. Here’s a full mock draft of what they could do with those picks.
Sitting in the middle of the first round, the Detroit Lions could go a number of ways with their first pick of the 2016 NFL Draft. What they ultimately decide to do will have an impact on what happens with their picks that follow.
It is in the spirit of that dynamic that I put together this seven-round mock draft for the Lions. This isn’t what I think the Lions will do, nor is it necessarily what I think they should do. Simply, this is a look at what they could do.
Mock drafts are fun. Or at least, they are supposed to be. Opinions abound when it comes to the NFL Draft but if taken as an entertaining way to learn about the prospects and examining some scenarios, mock drafts can be a great way to pass the time between the Super Bowl and the draft.
Let’s have some fun, eh?
Now on to the first pick.
Next: Round 1
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
It has been nearly a full year since Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley and C.J. Mosley left the Lions and they have yet to address the position in any meaningful long-term way. Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker were brought in to help fill the void but without commitments that extended beyond the 2015 season.
The Lions could bring back one or both, but drafting another defensive tackle is a wise move considering this draft is regarded as deep at the position. Some mocks have the Lions taking care of this with their first round pick but after going with Ragland in this mock, I’m making sure to grab a big talent in the second round with Louisiana Tech’s Vernon Butler.
Butler was one of the standouts at Senior Bowl practices and could find himself off the board by the time the Lions pick in the second round. With a deep defensive tackle class there will be some very good prospects available outside the first round and Vernon Butler could be one.
Next: Round 3
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
Retaining Isa Abdul-Quddus to play alongside Glover Quin should be a priority this offseason but the Lions could stand to upgrade safety depth with some long-term upside. The Lions struck out with smaller school upside prospects in this range like Chris Greenwood and Larry Webster but neither was as highly regarded as Miles Killebrew.
In fact, Killebrew could find himself drafted earlier than expected. It only takes one team to fall in love with a prospect and Killebrew could be this year’s Jaquiski Tartt who went 46th overall to the San Francisco 49ers in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Killebrew is a strong safety who could also project at linebacker. For that reason he has drawn comparisons to the Arizona Cardinals’ Deone Bucannon who moved from safety to linebacker this season as the team dealt with injuries.
Next: Round 5
Barring a trade, the fifth round will be one to watch for the Lions. They not only hold their own pick, but also the Denver Broncos’ pick from trading down in the first round last year as well as a projected compensatory pick for losing Nick Fairley in free agency.
Travis Swanson underwhelmed in his first season as the Lions’ starting center so it makes sense to hedge that bet when the value is right. That starts to make sense in round five, especially after filling some needs in the first four rounds. I picked out Missouri’s Evan Boehm here but Michigan’s Graham Glasgow was impressive at the Senior Bowl and could also be up for consideration.
The emergence of Darius Slay along with Quandre Diggs and Nevin Lawson playing well in stretches in 2015 means cornerback doesn’t have to be a high priority. That being said, the back end of the cornerback rotation has still seen a lot of bodies come and go. Briean Boddy-Calhoun was a foundational piece of a pretty good Minnesota defense and has the ball skills to compete for playing time.
Matthew Stafford’s second half of the 2015 season quieted and talk of the Lions being in the market for a new starting quarterback but the depth chart behind him needs attention. Whether Brandon Doughty or someone else, adding a legitimate developmental quarterback to the roster is a must.
Next: Round 6
Outside linebacker doesn’t seem like a huge need right now but becomes one if Tahir Whitehead departs (or gets slotted in the middle) and depending on your faith in Kyle Van Noy developing into a bigger contributor than he has been so far. De’Vondre Campbell has it all physically and can be developed by the Lions’ defensive coaching staff.
Cue the jokes, but wide receiver is a need for the Detroit Lions. That will be the case regardless of whether or not Calvin Johnson retires and could easily be addressed earlier than the sixth round. At this point you’re taking a flier on a guy much like the Lions did with Corey Fuller in 2013.
Fuller hasn’t developed as hoped and has struggled as a contributor on special teams as well. His roster spot should be in jeopardy and so adding Geronimo Allison to the mix would make sense. Allison can be a threat down the field that Fuller hasn’t become and offers more upside.
Next: Round 7
There is never a guarantee a seventh round draft pick will make it out of training camp so it’s all about trying find a guy who might have a shot. Syracuse defensive end Ron Thompson fits that bill after a college career that saw him play both inside and out, although he was asked to play out of position when moving inside.
Thompson brings some pass rush skills and burst that Kris Kocurek can work with as his overall game is refined. Larry Webster may not have worked out but the Lions have a track record with getting value out of pass rushers they have little invested in like George Johnson and Darryl Tapp.
Next: 30 Best Draft Picks in Detroit Lions History
Let us know what you think about how this seven-round draft scenario played out for the Lions. You can leave a comment below or find Detroit Jock City on facebook or twitter using the buttons above.