Detroit Lions Seven-Round Mock Draft: Defense Dominates Early

Fifth Round

Jatavis Brown was an extremely productive collegiate linebacker. His senior year at Akron, Brown compiled 116 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and four forced fumbles all by himself. He played well in the postseason bowls, and wowed scouts with a 4.47 forty yard dash at the regional combine. Essentially Brown plays the linebacker position like a first or second round pick.

But at 6’1″ and 220 lbs. Brown is built more like an NFL safety. He’s very undersized as far as NFL linebackers go. That being the case Brown will probably slip on draft day.

In this scenario he slips to the Lions in the fifth round. Detroit needs more speed, athleticism, explosiveness, and production at the linebacker positions, and Brown brings the possibilities of all those.

Don’t worry about Brown’s lack of size. Undersized linebackers Shaq Thompson, Deone Bucannon, and Telvin Smith are all doing just fine carving out careers for themselves as important contributors on good defenses.

Rashard Higgins is a confounding prospect. From one perspective he’s skinny (190 lbs.) and slow (4.64 at the combine and only slightly faster at his pro day). From another perspective he’s an extremely productive receiver, totaling 3,648 yards receiving, 238 receptions, and 31 touchdowns in three seasons at Colorado State.

There’s also some concern that his production has more to do with the system and offense he played in, and less to do with his individual talents.

Still, as a fifth round pick, Higgins is worth the gamble. The Lions have little depth at the receiver position, even with the additions of free agents Marvin Jones and Jeremy Kerley. Higgins provides immediate depth and a possible long-term upgrade.

Next: Round 6