Detroit Lions mock draft 2018: Mel Kiper picks a pass rusher
By Zac Snyder
ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper has released his first 2018 mock draft, sending a Big Ten pass rusher to bolster the Detroit Lions defense.
Bob Quinn has been slow to address needs on the defensive side of the ball since taking over as Detroit Lions‘ general manager. That started to change in year two with the selection of linebacker Jarrad Davis in the first round and cornerback Teez Tabor in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, but Quinn’s biggest additions in free agency have been on offense.
The defensive line in particular has been an area that Quinn has taken a more slow and methodical approach to addressing. The biggest move there was drafting A’Shawn Robinson in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
With the offensive roster in good shape, and Matt Patricia reportedly lined up as the new head coach, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see this be the offseason the Lions make bigger investments into their defensive line. In that vein, Mel Kiper has the Lions addressing their pass rush in his first 2018 NFL mock draft.
With the 20th pick in Mel Kiper’s mock draft 1.0, the Detroit Lions select Sam Hubbard, defensive end, Ohio State. Kiper explains:
"Ezekiel Ansah had a bounce-back year with 12 sacks, but he’s a free agent. Will the Lions give him a long-term deal? Detroit’s No. 2 sacker was former sixth-round pick Anthony Zettel, who had 6.5, so this is a clear area of need. Hubbard is probably better for team that plays a 4-3 like the Lions. He didn’t have a consistent 2017 season, but he finished strong with 2.5 sacks at Michigan and 2.5 more in the bowl win over USC. Is he Joey Bosa? No, but that’s why Bosa went No. 3 overall. Hubbard would be good value at pick No. 20."
Kiper’s mock saw the first pass rusher come off the board at number three with NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb going to the Indianapolis Colts. Hubbard was the third defensive end off the board, behind Chubb and UT-San Antonio’s Marcus Davenport, who went to the Green Bay Packers at 14.
Fans looking for interior defensive line help from this draft may be interested to know that Kiper had Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea going one pick ahead of the Lions to the Dallas Cowboys. Michigan’s Maurice Hurst went two picks after the Lions, going 22 to the Buffalo Bills.
Next: 30 Best Draft Picks in Detroit Lions History
The full first round mock can be viewed on ESPN.com with an insider subscription.