The NFL combine is fast-approaching so it is time for a new Lions Mock Draft. In version one of the Lions Mock draft, we saw a trade down to obtain more draft capital. Unfortunately, there aren’t any players worth trading up for so we stick with no trades at #2.
Round 1, Pick 2:
Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE – Michigan
Earlier today, coach Dan Campbell alluded to some scheme changes happening with the Lions defense.
In comes Aidan Hutchinson who not only played 45 minutes west of Detroit at Michigan, but he grew up in local Plymouth. Hutchinson possesses the ferocious leadership that the Lions are desperately needing, along with his elite ability to play on the edge. He not only broke the all-time sack record at Michigan with 14, but he finished at the top among all EDGE players according to PFF. The Lions have real talent along the DL with Romeo Okwara, Alim McNeill and Levi Onwuzurike. Adding Hutchinson to that group would really shore up one of the most important position groups in Football.
Round 1, Pick 32:
Treylon Burks, WR – Arkansas
What a steal this would be at the end of Round 1. Burks has elite speed and is a fluid route runner at 6-3 225. The Lions drafted a WR last year in Amon-Ra St. Brown and that turned out to be a big success. Drafting Burks here at 32 will help take that position group to the next level as he can play in the slot and on the outside.
Round 2, Pick 44 (via CLE):
Jahan Dotson, WR – Penn State
The value was too good to pass up at 44 after trading back with the Browns. wide receiver is a big need and the Lions address that again with Dotson after drafting Burks at 32. Similar to Burks, he can play in the Slot and on the outside too. Versatility is the name of the game and both Dotson and Burks have that.
Round 3, Pick 66:
Quay Walker, LB – Georgia
Walker is a freak at 6-3, 240 with the ability to run sideline to sideline. He was a major contributor on the National Championship Bulldogs in 2021 with great abilities. He needs to work on his instincts as he can be a step behind in processing, which is a good problem to have as a young player. Quay Walker to go along with Derrick Barnes and Jalen Reeves-Maybin changes a LB room that was a disaster under Matt Patricia.
Round 3, Pick 78 (via CLE):
Coby Bryant, CB – Cincinnati
Sauce Gardner gets the hype of the Cincy corners, but Coby Bryant is the underrated one. Bryant has great size for a corner at 6-1, 198 and has that “Mamba Mentality” similar to the man he was named after, Kobe Bryant. He is also an impressive athlete to go along with his quick feet and fluidity.
Round 3, Pick 97:
Kaleb Eleby, QB – Western Michigan
The future of the Lions won’t feature Jared Goff but the 2022 Class doesn’t possess that franchise QB some teams are looking for. Insert Kaleb Eleby at the end of Round 3 for Detroit to develop behind Goff. Eleby is a player with some upside. He has a strong arm and is naturally accurate with the Football. He can also improve a lot in his mechanics as Eleby can be inconsistent with his feet.
Round 5, Pick 177:
Ali Fayad, EDGE – Western Michigan
The Western Michigan to Lions pipeline continues with Ali Fayad. With Charles Harris hitting free agency, the Lions need some depth at the EDGE. He has some nice burst and plays with an extremely high motor. Fayad has work to do with his hands as he doesn’t possess many counters and he doesn’t have good arm length either.
Round 6, Pick 180:
Nasir Greer, DB – Wake Forest
Greer was hit with the injury bug in 2020 and 2021 but the abilities are there. Great speed and he played at both cornerback and safety. Versatility is key in Aaron Glenn’s scheme and that showed with Will Harris playing both safety and cornerback in 2021.
Round 6, Pick 218:
Marquan McCall, IDL – Kentucky
A behemoth of a man at 6-3, 380 pounds, McCall is your prototypical nose tackle that has surprising quickness. The biggest concern with McCall is his ineffectiveness on passing downs. At this point, he is strictly a run-stopping D-Lineman but luckily the value is there at the end of Round 6.
Round 7, Pick 232:
Derrick Deese Jr, TE – San Jose State
Deese is an in-line tight end with great blocking ability. The son of a former NFL O-Lineman, you can see why his blocking skills and toughness show up on tape. Deese is nice value in Round 7 as a blocking TE rather than looking to have someone be your next guy up after Hockenson.
Be sure to check out Version 1 of the Mock Draft here, and check out the rest of our content over at atbnetwork.com.