NFL Draft 2018: Detroit Lions seven-round mock draft 3.0

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Fans attend the NFL Draft Experience prior to the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: Fans attend the NFL Draft Experience prior to the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Lions 2018 NFL Draft prospect Tim Settle.
BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 21: Defensive tackle Tim Settle #4 and safety Terrell Edmunds #22 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrate their sack on quarterback Brandon Harris #6 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half at Lane Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /

Round 4

Tim Settle is an interesting prospect in that the projection of just where he’ll go in the draft seems to be all over the map. While first round hype seems to have fallen away, at least mostly, you’ll still find some projecting him as an early day two pick while we seem him still available here in the fourth round, dropping outside the top 100 picks.

He posted really bad workout numbers, perhaps giving fuel to those who see Settle as merely a late-round option rather than an early impact defender for the middle of someone’s defensive line.

Assuming there isn’t an NFL team in love with Settle as much as some draftniks are (thereby taking him off the board much sooner than this), he may be worth the gamble considering there isn’t a defensive tackle earlier in this mock.

Count NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein among the Settle fans. Projecting him as a second round pick, Zierlein describes Settle this way:

"Settle has rare gifts for a big man with good mass, play strength, quickness, and agility. His substantial jump in production in 2017 was due to weight loss and additional conditioning that allowed him to play more snaps and play faster. He’s a disruptive, versatile defensive lineman who offers enough pass rush potential to warrant reps on passing downs. Settle is a natural 4-3 fit but can play in a 3-4 as well. He has the potential to become a very good starter with a Pro Bowl ceiling if he controls his weight and maintains his conditioning."

It will take holding the nose at his workout numbers while hoping that the people that really like Settle are at least partially right.