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Detroit Lions Draft DT Jeremiah Ledbetter In Sixth Round

By Colton Wesley

Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter goes through workout drills during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter goes through workout drills during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Lions picked up Arkansas defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter in the sixth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday.

The Detroit Lions took a defensive lineman for the first time in the 2017 NFL Draft on Saturday, selecting Jeremiah Ledbetter from Arkansas in the sixth round.

Ledbetter, a transfer from Hutchinson Community College, played two seasons at Arkansas, picking up 104 tackles, including 15 for loss, and 7.5 sacks in 25 games.

Ledbetter is an outstanding athlete, continuing the trend set by Bob Quinn’s selections early in this draft. His 4.84 40-yard dash time is near the top out of all defensive tackles and he grades out above average in almost every athletic measurable.

He is undersized for a tackle, weighing in at only 280 pounds, but he played all over the defensive line for the Razorbacks, and will likely do the same for the Lions.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com projected him as a fourth or fifth round pick, saying:

"Stronger than size would dictate and can handle himself against single blocks. Does his part to eat blocks when asked to in Arkansas scheme. Has power to drive through a guard’s edge once he makes his way up the field."

He also said, however, that despite his strength, Ledbetter’s lack of size could be an issue for him in the NFL:

"Ledbetter’s game is built for the interior line, but he lacks the desired mass to hold his ground against NFL power and he’s not as explosive off the snap as teams would like to play in the gaps. Ledbetter’s long arms and power at the point of attack might make him a candidate to play base end for a team looking for strength on the edge, but the lack of foot quickness and ability to threaten the edge as an interior rusher could limit his draft value."

The Lions lack depth on the defensive line. The unit is young and is looking for players to produce alongside Ezekiel Ansah. Ledbetter will likely be a rotation guy in his rookie season, but his versatility will likely earn him some snaps.

NEXT: Full Lions Draft Coverage on Detroit Jock City

Unless a trade occurs, the Lions’ next pick will be the 32nd pick in the sixth round, 215th overall.

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