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NFL Draft 2016: Detroit Lions Seven-Round Mock Draft 2.0

By Zac Snyder

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on 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 podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad offensive tackle Kyle Murphy of Stanford (77) in the second half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad offensive tackle Kyle Murphy of Stanford (77) in the second half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

My purpose with each seven round mock draft I publish is to take a look at different scenarios for how the Lions draft could play out but this one is a carryover pick from version 1.0. It’s not that I didn’t consider going in another direction, it’s just that offensive tackle is one of the Lions’ biggest needs and it would be wise to address the position with a reasonably high draft pick to break the cycle of undrafted free agents and street free agents at right tackle.

The days of the left tackle being of far greater value than the right tackle are over. Defenses bring pressure from both sides, sometimes even more at the right tackle than the left tackle. It’s not enough just to protect a quarterback’s blind side – today’s game is all about protecting the quarterback, period.

Murphy has experience playing left tackle but he won’t be viewed as a successor to Riley Reiff. That’s OK because while Reiff will never become known as one of the league’s best left tackles, he’s more than serviceable. Reiff and Murphy won’t be a sexy pair, but they would be an upgrade over Reiff and the rotating cast of characters.

Next: Round 4

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