Detroit Lions: Post-NFL combine seven round mock draft 1.0
By Bob Heyrman
It’s always hard to predict how an organization ranks the draft hopeful prospects. It’s nearly impossible to guess what the Detroit Lions are thinking outside of the first round, but here is a ‘post’ combine mock 1.0 checking the boxes of roster needs.
I’ll be the first to admit, when Bob Quinn decided to select Jahlani Tavai last year in the second round, I was more than shocked. It was a draft pick that left me to shake my head. It proves my opening statement; we really don’t know where the Detroit Lions have these draft hopefuls on their draft board.
It appears the Lions are content with Tavai, Kennard, and Jarrad Davis as their starting linebackers. Although Davis was drafted to be a starter, I feel he’s more of a depth, third-down type backer. Matt Patricia doesn’t choose to blitz often, but when he decides to send Davis, he regularly creates pressure. The problem is, I can’t remember watching a linebacker miss as many tackles as Davis did last season. Detroit should opt to upgrade his spot at some point in the draft.
The other areas I feel the Detroit Lions need to address throughout the draft are along with the linebacker position are defensive end ( edge), defensive tackle, interior offensive line, cornerback, running back and wide receiver.
That being said, here is my Detroit Lions post combine NFL mock draft 1.0;
First-round, No. 3:
Edge: Chase Young, Ohio State
This would be a dream come true for the Detroit Lions. It’s a defense that failed to muster any pressure last season. Matt Patricia’s defensive scheme is very reluctant to blitz, which forces the group to generate pressure with their front four. At times Patricia sends just three, and last season that was cringe-worthy.
The Lions were struggling to create pressure with four, so we’ll send three. As you recall, it didn’t work. Devon Kennard enjoyed a very respectable season recording 7 sacks as an outside linebacker, often rushing the passer as a stand-up end.
It will be phenomenal if the Miami Dolphins or L.A. Chargers fall in love with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa enough to trade up with the Washington Redskins. The move will allow Chase Young to fall to the Detroit Lions.
I anticipate Joe Burrow to go first overall to the Cincinnati Bengals. There is a possibility the newly appointed head coach of the Redskins Ron Rivera would rather select Tua and move away from Dwayne Haskins, similar to what the Cardinals did with Josh Rosen last season drafting Kyler Murray the very next season. Plus, the Redskins have two premier pass-rushers in Ryan Kerrigan and Montez Sweat currently rostered.
Young is the best defensive prospect in this year’s NFL draft. He recorded 16.5 sacks last season with the Buckeyes; also, Young forced a whopping 7 fumbles last year. He made 46 tackles, 21 of which were for a loss.
The Detroit Lions desperately need some juice opposite Trey Flowers, and Chase Young is the perfect fit.