Detroit Lions 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Trading down in the first round
By Bob Heyrman
With the 51st overall pick in the NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Gregory Rousseau.
Gregory Rousseau is another one of my draft crushes, and in my previous mock, I had the Detroit Lions selecting Rousseau with the 41st overall pick. Waiting to make this selection a mere ten picks later may cost me dearly, but after making that first-round trade with Washington and adding the 51st pick allowed for two difference makers, that is, if Rousseau remains available.
The NFL Draft comes with an abundance of hope and waiting; when making the Eichenberg pick, I had Rousseau targeted for the Detroit Lions with this pick.
According to the Draft Network, he was available in this mock draft simulator, and he was the top prospect waiting to be chosen.
Rousseau decided to sit out the 2020 NCAA season due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. In 2019 he dominated the line of scrimmage with the Miami Hurricanes as a defensive end leading to his stellar 15.5 total sacks as a redshirt freshman. Rousseau suffered a season-ending ankle injury as a true freshman in 2018, which allowed for a medical redshirt after appearing in just two games.
Ironically, Rousseau’s teammate Jaelan Phillips is projected to be a first-round selection this year, even with his concussion concerns.
Rousseau is a bit of a work in progress but has an extremely high ceiling as a professional prospect. He can play in multiple schemes in a five or seven-technique but is best suited with his hand in the dirt coming off the edge.
At 6-foot-7, but what appears to be a lean 270-pounds Rousseau is a match-up nightmare of offensive tackles, and he will provide the Lions with an interior speed-rushing option on third down.
Notable players available: Elijah Molden, Jevon Holland, Dillon Radunz, Brady Christensen, Dyami Brown.