OT- Detroit Lions Draft Preview

Submitted by PutInPeters18 on

Hey everyone, this is my first post on the board, kind of exciting. 

As the NFL Draft is just over a week away, I figured I would make a little preview for who the Detroit Lions could select in their various rounds. 
 

Detroit Lions Picks:

Rd. 1 (#16)
Rd. 2 (#46)
Rd. 3 (#95)
Rd. 4 (#111)
Rd. 5 (#151, #169)
Rd. 6 (#191, #202, #210)
Rd. 7 (#236)

Areas of Need For Detroit:

OT, DT, DE, WR, C, SS for potential upgrades/starters
WR, CB, LB, QB, S for depth picks

Round 1: #16 possibilities

Notre Dame OT Ronnie Stanley – likely would be the best option for the Lions here, as he’s a very high caliber LT who could step in almost immediately and push Reiff out to RT. Doubtful he’ll be available.

Louisville DT Sheldon Rankins – Could see some snaps immediately depending on health of Ngata and Walker, but a quick-twitch defensive tackle who could play either the 1-tech, or 3-tech in various fronts.

Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell – needs no introduction, but even with the signing of Marvin Jones, the Lions could use another high caliber receiver to add to the mix. Might be too good to pass up, questionable with injury though.

Clemson DE Shaq Lawson – With only Ansah and Devin Taylor on the edge, Detroit may feel the need to go DE right away and Lawson would likely be the top option at that point.

Ohio State LT Taylor Decker – I may get crucified for saying this (as he’s a Buckeye) but I would love to see Decker on the Lions. May not be an immediate LT, but capable of being a high-caliber, starting Tackle fairly quickly.

Round 2: #46 possibilities

Texas A&M LT Germain Ifedi – has the potential to be one of the best OT’s in the entire draft but has slightly sloppy technique that would need to be cleaned up. If he falls to this spot, Lions should definitely take him.

Oklahoma State DE Emmanuel Ogbah – If the Lions don’t take a DE in round 1, then Ogbah would be a solid second round pick. Built to play immediately in the NFL.

Baylor DT Andrew Billings – incredibly powerful, run-plugging DT who could see some immediate minutes for Detroit. Question is if he’s still on the board at this point.

Notre Dame C Nick Martin – Personally, I think Swanson is an ok center, but not great, nor likely to be, if Martin is available he would be a good addition to the OL.

West Virginia SS Karl Joseph – Even with the signings of Rafael Bush, Tavon Wilson and several other DBs, the Lions could still be looking for another safety and Joseph is one of the best in the draft.

Round 3: #95 possibilities, Round 4: #111 possibilities
Since these picks are only about 15 picks apart, they are close enough that some of the same players may be available in either spot. So I’ll mention 7 total instead of 5 for each pick

Rutgers WR Leonte Carroo – Pretty much the only competent thing to come out of Rutgers recently. Could be a steal.

LSU FS Jalen Mills – Although Detroit is more likely to look for a strong safety than a free safety than strong, Mills is an athletic coverage safety who could be useful against pass-happy teams.

Arizona LB Scooby Wright – An instinctive, relentless tackling machine for RichRod, Wright could provide some depth at LB, maybe even contend for a starting role fairly soon.

Southern Utah SS Miles Killebrew – Personally is my favorite prospect for this spot, a physical safety who hits hard. At a minimum would likely be a great special teams player in year one.

Stanford OT Kyle Murphy – Definitely is a RT as opposed to LT. Fairly similar to Riley Reiff in that sense. A strong tackle with a quick first step, lacks athleticism to play against elite DE’s in the NFL.

Nebraska DT Maliek Collins – highly athletic, quick defensive tackle who would be a decent 3rd down interior rusher. Would need to add strength to be more effective against the run.

Notre Dame CB KeiVarae Russell – though he had some academic issues at ND and wasn’t able to return, Russell is very athletic and projects to be a skilled cover corner. Could be a steal.

Round 5: #151, 169 possibilities
same as before…7 possibilities.

USC CB Kevon Seymour – fast, athletic corner who would likely be an immediate special teams contributor.

Western Michigan OT Willie Beavers – Could be a really good LT someday but not likely to see time early.

Missouri C Evan Boehm – strong, drive-blocking center. Not likely to overtake Swanson right away, if at all.

Stanford QB Kevin Hogan – at the QBs could potentially go he may not even be there, but would be a good developmental project to take.

Penn State DE Anthony Zettell – uses hands well, could be a solid back-up, maybe even rotational player with a year or two.

Stanford LB Blake Martinez –aggressive LB who was very productive in college. Solid depth pick.

Michigan DT Willie Henry – could reasonably go anywhere from Round 2 to Round 6…who knows.

Round 6: #191, #202, #210 possibilities, Round 7: #236 possibilities
Just going to list 12 prospects, no evaluation.

Florida State DT Nile-Lawrence Stample
Baylor OT Spencer Drango
South Carolina OT Brandon Schell
Clemson SS Jayron Kearse
Western Kentucky QB Brandon Doughty
Kansas State CB Morgan Burns
Maryland DT Quinton Jefferson
Massachusetts WR Tajae Sharp
Colorado WR Nelson Spruce
Iowa C Austin Blythe
Arkansas OG Denver Kirkland
Minnesota LB De’Vondre Campbell


Quick Mock:
1- LT Taylor Decker (OSU)
2- SS Karl Joseph (WVU)
3- WR Leontee Carroo (Rutgers)
4- DT Maliek Collins (Nebraska)
5- OT Willie Beavers (WMU)
5- QB Kevin Hogan (Stanford)
6- SS Jayron Kearse (Clemson)
6- DT Nile-Lawrence Stample
6- C Austin Blythe (Iowa)
7- LB De'Vondre Campbell (Minnesota)

DavidP814

April 19th, 2016 at 8:47 PM ^

I read on PFF (I think?) that Taylor Decker is a projected bust based on his actual play throughout the season.  Hoping the Lions avoid him in Rd 1.

PutInPeters18

April 19th, 2016 at 9:44 PM ^

Could be, like I said earlier, not sure he'd be an immediate starter, but he's an athletic 6'7-6'8 player with some solid technique. I think the thing is that if you look at what Detroit has at Tackle currently (Reiff, Ola, Robinson) Decker would push Ola but could become an asset within a year or two

rob f

April 19th, 2016 at 9:09 PM ^

a) for a beginner.

b) for your favorite Lion's blog.

You obviously put a lot of thought and a ton of work into this, so +1 for that.  Might even be diary-worthy if not for being OT.

Michigan4Life

April 19th, 2016 at 10:01 PM ^

if any, Josh Doctson is a better fit.  With that being said, I don't foresee the Lions taking a WR at 1st round anyway because they have Golden and Jones starting for them. They also have Ebron who are primed for a breakout season, Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah taking touches away from other WRs. 

The Lions should take a WR but it'll be at a later rounds like at 3rd-5th round as depth.

xtramelanin

April 19th, 2016 at 9:16 PM ^

rd 1   big name bust

rd 2   reach and a bust

rd 3   take a flyer, and a bust

rd 4   works out well....after he's traded away to another team

rd 5   see rounds 1-4, but with a guy from a school that's not in north america

rd 6   NFL preempts the lions pick, forbidding them from choosing anyone.  ever.  

 

MichiganTeacher

April 19th, 2016 at 9:27 PM ^

I upvoted you, and it's a good write-up.

But I read the thread title and clicked it thinking, the OP will be nothing but a post of a giant train wreck .gif.

Michigan4Life

April 19th, 2016 at 9:57 PM ^

the first WR taken in the draft.  If a WR is a possibility, I'd look toward Josh Doctson, Corey Coleman and Michael Thomas. Lions have interest in three of them and are potential 1st rounders.

Michigan4Life

April 19th, 2016 at 10:33 PM ^

Scooby Wright is a UDFA. I've heard this from several sources that they have him as a UDFA. Bad athlete with inflated stats. 3rd round would be a major reach for Scooby Wright

Rabbit21

April 19th, 2016 at 11:06 PM ^

The pessimism here is amazing, The Lions have a new GM who is breaking with the past. Let's all sit back and appreciate the new ways he will
Find to fuck up the draft rather than thinking he'll just do the old reliables. The entertainment value of opening your mind to all kinds of possibilities here is key, the could be a kicker chosen in the first round, three receivers taken with the first three picks, let's allow ourselves to be surprised.




Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad