Detroit Lions Seven-Round Mock Draft: Defense Dominates Early
By Eli Kaplan
Second Round
GM Bob Quinn is all about building depth in order to build a contender. With their second round pick the Lions would be wise to continue that thinking and continue to build their safety depth.
This offseason has already been one of many changes for the Lions at the safety position. Free agent Isa Abdul-Quddus signed with the Miami Dolphins, while Detroit signed three players to replace him – Rafael Bush, Tavon Wilson, and Johnson Bademosi.
All of those players have their strengths, but only Bush has extensive starting experience. He also has an extensive injury history. Since Quinn seems to be putting together a safety-by-committee, and is apparently undeterred by injury history, Karl Joseph seems like a perfect candidate for the Lions second round pick. He’s also a pretty good football player.
In fact, if not for a knee injury suffered during his senior season, Joseph would have been a first round lock. His misfortune could benefit the Lions as there is a good chance he will still be available at pick 46.
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Not only was Joseph’s senior season cut short by injury, but Joseph has also been unable to show off his physical talents at the combine and private workouts as a result.
Even so, Joseph showed plenty during his time at West Virginia to make NFL scouts confident he can be an effective player at the professional level. He finished his collegiate career with 274 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and nine interceptions.
Joseph is a well-rounded safety prospect, displaying explosiveness, aggressiveness, and willingness to be effective in the run game, while showing awareness and foot speed to be a contributor defending the passing game as well.
Though Joseph is a willing tackler, he could improve his tackling techniques to increase his overall effectiveness. But no one is perfect, especially outside of the first round. Even so, Joseph would be a steal for the Lions second round pick.
Next: Round 3