Detroit Lions Draft 2017: Prospects Who May Fall To The 21st Pick

Every season at the NFL draft prospects go lower or higher than anticipated, these are this season’s prime candidates to fall to the Detroit Lions pick.

There are dozens of reasons for a player to go later than expected. Sometimes a junior comes out at a player’s position and pushes him down teams draft boards. Others have done something foolish on a Friday evening after the Combine. Others are simply regarded more highly by online draft experts than by teams.

Last season, the Lions benefited from one such draft day tumble with their selection of A’Shawn Robinson in the second round. Many mock drafts had Robinson going to the Lions in the first round.  This year there is no shortage of candidates to go later than one might think based purely on the ability they have shown on the football field during their college careers.

Luckily for Lions fans, there are many players that the team could use with something about them that could cause a slide. Some have off the field behavior that is questionable. Others are model citizens in need of some better coaching. One just has the disadvantage of playing a position that teams do not value highly. Each has their own reason to potentially fall to the Lions pick at 21. Each fills a need for the team, either immediately or in the future.

Predicting the behavior of 32 NFL teams is an exercise in futility. If even a single team drafting ahead of the Lions ignores the red flags a prospect has, their fall ends. These players all have the talent to be drafted before the Lions make their choice at pick 21. Should they fall however, it would be in the Lions best interest to make the call as rapidly as possible. Here is a look at who might be the Lions next surprise draft pick.