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

Detroit Lions Mock Draft: Round 3

My first choice for this draft selection was sniped by the Denver Broncos directly before Detroit went on the clock at No. 71 overall. With the No. 72 pick, I decided to go with another defensive tackle, Tommy Togiai of the Ohio State University.

Other players that were available that drew my interest were Elijah Molden, a cornerback from Washington, Jabril Cox, a linebacker from Lousiana State University, and Dylan Moses, a linebacker from Alabama.

Moore looks like a starting nickel cornerback, and even with the addition of Collins in round two, the Lions still need more help in the middle of the defense.

Ultimately, the decision to go with Togiai was due to his ability to stuff the run. He still has work to do as a pass rusher, but the potential is there. At 6-foot-2, 300 pounds he is a natural fit to slide under the blocker’s pads and obtain solid leverage.

He can slide in as an early-down defender alongside Nicholas Williams and John Penisini who may provide a better pass rush on third down. Again though, I think he continues to improve in this area.

I know, I know. Running back is not one of the glairing positions of need for the Lions. However, Kenneth Gainwell is a talent I could not pass on with the 88th overall pick, in the third round. Yes, Detroit does have D’Andre Swift on their roster, but there is no reason to think Gainwell cannot compliment him well.

Gainwell has the potential to be a three-down running back. He played some quarterback in high school but has transitioned well into the running back role. He has great hands too. In Detroit, he could play the third-down role, as well as returning kicks and lining up in the slot at wide receiver.

With a lack of depth at wide receiver, the Lions could use the help of a pass-catching back and may also have to rely on the run more than they would ideally like. It is a better fit than most would think at first glance.

Whether Detroit is running with a two-headed monster of using Gainwell at running back, to play receiver, or catch the ball out of the backfield late in the game if they’re playing from behind, he is a weapon I’d be happy to have with this draft selection.

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The selection of Paulson Adebo, a cornerback out of Stanford was one I was really excited to make at No. 97 overall in the third round. Other players I looked at included linebacker Cameron McGrone from the University of Michigan and fellow cornerback Keith Taylor Jr. of Washington.

I went with Adebo for two primary reasons:

1. He’s very versatile.
2. He’s a smart player.

A high football IQ is exactly what you would expect of a player from the University of Stanford. He has great natural instincts and ball skills for a zone scheme.

Something that new defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has said is that he wants smart players that are tough. You get both with Adebo who will fit great on the Detroit defense as an outside corner.