NFL Draft 2016: Detroit Lions Seven-Round Mock Draft 2.0
By Zac Snyder
Late in the draft is all about finding value or players who may be limited but bring something that might help the team in a specific role.
Iowa tight end Henry Krieger Coble could be the successor to Brandon Pettigrew as an in-line tight end who can occasionally be targeted in the passing game. Pettigrew’s cap number is oversized compared to his role on the team but releasing him would require an injury settlement first. That means a final decision on his status with the team likely stretches out into the summer and possibly through training camp.
It may come to be that the Lions are better off keeping Pettigrew on the roster for one more season but adding Krieger Coble would give the Lions some insurance and some options as the situation plays out.
Anthony Zettel is a Michigan native who was overshadowed on the Penn State defensive line by fellow 2016 NFL Draft hopefuls Austin Johnson and Carl Nassib. Those two will surely be drafted earlier but Zettel is a legitimate prospect in his own right. His best asset is his versatility. He lined up all over the defensive line for the Nittany Lions and could be used similarly as a situational rotation player for the Detroit Lions.
Next: Round 7