Detroit Lions: Post-NFL combine seven round mock draft 1.0
By Bob Heyrman
Fourth round, No. 99
CB: Michael Ojemudia, Iowa
It would be a homecoming for Michael Ojemudia, who was born in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Not a perfect prospect, but Ojemudia had a very good senior season with the Iowa Hawkeyes recording a career-high 51 tackles and reeling in 3 interceptions.
While there may be a few corners some may feel are more talented, Ojemudia is a 6’1 corner who can play against outside receivers. There are plenty of corners that stand sub-six feet that are destined to be nickel, slot corners in the NFL. The Detroit Lions will have Justin Coleman as their primary slot-corner, and hopefully, Darius Slay on the outside. If not Slay, Detroit will surely try and sign a number one type corner in free agency. Perhaps either Chris Harris or Byron Jones.
Ojemudia excels in zone coverage, something Matt Patricia rarely runs. That is one significant downside to this pick, but he will need to improve in man to man coverage to get on any NFL field. Ojemudia doesn’t take the best route to the football and is a below-average tackler. His long arms to go with his 6’1 foot, 200-pound frame give me hope he can jam receivers at the line in press coverage. He ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at the combine, so he has the juice to stay with NFL receivers. A work in progress but has enough potential to be considered.
Fifth round, No. 131
NT: Leki Fotu, Utah
A bargain in the fifth round Leki Fotu is a perfect fit for Matt Patricia’s defense. The Detroit Lions have plenty of decisions to make in regards to bringing back A’Shawn Robinson and Mike Daniels. After releasing Damon Harrison, the organization has a huge hole to fill in the middle of their defensive line.
What better way to fill the void than inserting a 340-pound nose tackle who stands 6’5? Fotu has plenty of burst off the line of scrimmage but is limited when it comes to rushing the passer. Fotu is tremendous two-down run-stuffer that will come off the field on passing situations. That’s why retaining Mike Daniels or adding a pass-rushing type lineman for rotational situations will be apparent for the Lions this spring.
Fotu recorded 25 tackles last season with Utah, but only recorded 1.5 sacks. He’s a tackle that will welcome a double team, clogging the offensive line and allowing the linebackers to flow to the football freely. A fifth-round pick that could find himself a steady role, not something you see very often.