NFL Draft 2018: Detroit Lions seven-round mock draft 3.0
By Zac Snyder
Round 2
The Lions may consider retaining Ziggy Ansah as their splash of the 2018 free agency period but it doesn’t feel so splashy without a long-term deal. So far it doesn’t look like the Lions are all that interested in aggressively working towards anything other than Ansah playing on the franchise tag in 2018 so it makes sense to start looking toward a post-Ansah future.
The Lions could use some help on the edge regardless of the plan for Ansah long-term anyway. That makes it a primary target early in the draft and Sam Hubbard is someone who could be in play.
Hubbard was a first round pick to the Lions in Mel Kiper’s first 2018 mock draft for ESPN.com and being picked in the first round is not out of the question considering how well he has tested athletically during the draft process. Still, it feels like there should be more impactful options for the Lions in the first round but Hubbard would be a nice option in the second.
The NFL.com prospect profile page for Hubbard quotes an NFC team director of college scouting as follows:
"I think he’s going to end up being a good pro. He plays hard all the time. He just needs to add a little more muscle and find a go-to move that he can win with as a rusher and he’ll be a consistent starter for years."
That sounds in line with what you should expect in a second rounder. Some flaws, but a chance to be a solid piece for your defense.