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NFL Draft 2018: Detroit Lions seven-round mock draft

By Zac Snyder

Taylor Decker of Ohio State holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #16 overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
Taylor Decker of Ohio State holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #16 overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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2018 NFL Draft prospect Vita Vea.
Defensive lineman Vita Vea of the Washington Huskies battles guard Gus Lavaka #63 of the Oregon State Beavers on October 22, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Round 1

Vita Vea has been the apple of the eye of many Lions fans for a while now even though it may seem like draft season is just heating up. With him on the board as the mock draft simulator hit the 20th pick it only made sense to start this mock draft series off with not only a defensive tackle but Vea in particular.

He not only fills a need at defensive tackle but is the type of defensive line prospect who could flourish in an even- or odd-man front. That fact can’t be overstated with Matt Patricia consistently explaining that the Lions defense will be multiple rather than strictly a 4-3 or 3-4 base defense.

Patricia has espoused the virtues of building a defense from the middle out and Vea would be a very big addition, literally and figuratively, in the middle of the defensive line to start the Patricia era.

Vea has drawn comparisons to former Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork as well as Haloti Ngata. Could he have the opportunity to play under one of Wilfork’s former coaches and alongside Ngata? There are lots of moving parts to work out before that scenario comes to fruition but the drafting of Vea and Ngata returning on a short-term deal would make for an interesting year or two as a passing of the proverbial baton.

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