Detroit Lions: 2021 Seven-Round Mock NFL Draft with trades

Detroit Lions Mock Draft: Round 2

There is no doubt, the Detroit Lions desperately need help at linebacker as previously mentioned in our first-round pick analysis. Taking Zaven Collins of Tulsa here makes too much sense not to. One thing I like about the kid is he is big! Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 260 pounds, he makes his presence known in the middle of the field.

In high school, Collins was a four-year starter at quarterback, as well as linebacker and safety. In 2020 he was one of the most dynamic defensive playmakers in all of college football and is touted as a first-round pick by many NFL-level scouts.

Getting him early in the second round could be a steal for the Lions on draft day in 2021.

When the Los Angles Chargers called wanting Detroit to trade down five spots gaining the Lions a third-rounder and a sixth-rounder in exchange for Detroit also throwing in a fourth, it again made a ton of sense. With so many glaring holes and a lack of depth at many positions, this will certainly help later on as the draft class is filled out slowly but surely.

This was a bit of a tough decision. Available on the board were fellow safety Trevon Moehrig of Texas Christian University, edge rusher Joseph Ossai of the University of Texas, and wide receiver Rondale Moore of Purdue University.

In terms of Moore, he is one of the most dynamic prospects in the draft, but due to injury concerns, I decided to let someone else take that risk. Ossai was a bit of a reach in my opinion at 47th overall, leaving me to decide between the two safeties.

I ultimately went with Grant due to his flexibility between free safety and strong safety. His best scheme fit is for cover one, but he played a variety of roles at the University of Central Florida that included deep single-high safety, split zones, man coverage from the slot, and occasionally as a box safety.

The interchangeability is truly key as Detroit currently has Tracy Walker and Duron Harmon at either starting position on their defense. Walker probably has more potential, but is he a worthy NFL starter?