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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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Nov 21, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver K.J. Brent (80) gets tackled by Clemson Tigers safety Jayron Kearse (1) after a catch during the third quarter at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Clemson defeated Wake Forest 33-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver K.J. Brent (80) gets tackled by Clemson Tigers safety Jayron Kearse (1) after a catch during the third quarter at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Clemson defeated Wake Forest 33-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

With three fifth-round picks after accounting for the expected compensatory pick for losing Nick Fairley in free agency last year, the Lions will be in a position to load up on depth.

There may be a team that falls in love with Jayron Kearse’s combination of size and speed and takes a chance on him earlier than this but a fifth-round pick would be a low risk, high reward potential pick for the Lions. The cousin Phillip Buchanon and nephew of Jevon Kearse, Jayron has NFL bloodlines. Physically he has it all but that doesn’t always show on the tape.

Travis Swanson took over the starting center spot last season but did little to inspire confidence he can be a long-term asset. With the Lions indicating a strong desire to improve the offensive line, the center spot is an obvious candidate for a change considering Swanson’s play last season. Graham Glasgow generated some buzz for his performance in practice at the East-West Shrine Game and could be added to compete with Swanson with the loser of the battle serving as the backup interior offensive lineman.

Briean Boddy-Calhoun is the second holdover from my first seven-round mock draft and the reasoning remains the same. Bob Quinn mentioned cornerbacks as one of the strongest positions on the team but there is room for more depth considering the number of players who have rotated in and out of the lineup due to injury. The cornerback group may be one of the Lions’ deepest, but there is still room for improvement at the back end of the depth chart.

Next: Round 6

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