As a die-hard Detroit Lions fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the NFL Draft. It’s a time of hope and marks a new beginning, even if it’s followed by unfulfilled potential.
Using Fanspeak’s On The Clock Mock Draft Simulator, I took the role of Detroit Lions’ GM and conducted my own 7-round NFL Draft simulation. With the team’s needs taken into consideration and with the simulation selecting the rest of the league’s picks, here were my selections.
With Ezekiel Ansah signed under the franchise tag and Kerry Hyder, recovering from an Achilles injury, resigned to a one-year deal, The Lions need a long-term solution at defensive end. A small school prospect with big potential, Marcus Davenport is a first round lock despite the adjustment he’ll have to make in order to succeed in the NFL. He fits the Lions need at the position and has a high ceiling.
At just 264 pounds, Davenport will need to add weight in order to shed opposing offensive lineman, but he’s shown the ability to add weight in college, gaining 30 pounds from his sophomore to senior season, and athleticism as a three-sport athlete. He will likely not be an impact player in his first year, but could develop into what the Lions need from an edge rusher later in his career.
In the second round of my mock draft for the Detroit Lions, I filled another glaring need – tight end. After releasing former first-round pick Eric Ebron, the Lions have an opening for a tight end with a nose for the ball. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein compared Goedert to Zach Ertz, which is high praise. “His ball focus and ability to make the spectacular catch will make him the darling of fans and media throughout the draft process, but, he still has work to do,” says Zierlein.
Although Goedert is yet another small school prospect who played against weak competition, his upside and performance over the past two years, with a combined 164 catches and over 2,400 yards, warrants a team taking him early in the draft. Goedert would help draw defenders away from wide receivers Marvin Jones and Golden Tate, giving Matthew Stafford more opportunities to spread the ball around.
West Virginia safety Kyzir White, brother of Chicago Bears receiver Kevin White, is a big (6-2, 218 lbs), hard-hitting safety who racked up 152 total tackles during his two seasons for the Mountaineers. Kyzir’s ability to help defend against the rush and blitz make him a fantastic third-round pickup if the Lions are able to grab him here.
A small, strong cornerback at 5’10” and 201 pounds, JC Jackson is known for being a physical and pesky cornerback. He was voted honorable mention all-conference last year, intercepting three passes, making 40 tackles, and breaking up seven pass attempts.
A Under Armour All-American, Jackson was dismissed from the University of Florida for a robbery, which he was later cleared of. Over the past two years he has shown that he can play at a high level, and he’s a solid gamble with a pick in the middle of the 4th round for a Lions team that allowed the 6th most passing yards in 2016 (3,892).
With the absolute worst rushing offense in the NFL by a mile, the Detroit Lions need an upgrade. Waiting until the 5th round is not ideal, but Ballage could be exactly what they need and an absolute steal this late in a draft packed with talented running backs.
Ballage is physical with a nose for the end zone. In 2016, Ballage tied the FBS record for most touchdowns in a game with eight. He’s also versatile, playing quarterback out of the wildcat formation, returning kicks, and catching 82 passes in his career at Arizona State. Lance Zierlein compares Ballage to Rashad Jennings. “Ballage's size and athletic ability will appeal to teams as will his ability to play on third downs and return kicks.” Give him a year to learn the offense and he could be the a very effective third-down back for the Lions come 2019.
In the 7th round, I was looking for a player who would have a good chance at making the team and who could contribute in some form or fashion early on in his NFL career. Byron Pringle left Kansas State a year early to enter the draft, which may have been a mistake for him but will allow a team to grab him very late in the draft. The 6’2” wide receiver scored 12 touchdowns, 10 of those through the air on only 69 receptions. Pringle also had success returning kickoffs, scoring two touchdowns on returns of 89 and 99 yards. In his last year at Kansas State, Pringle averaged a whopping 24.1 yards per catch, showing that he has the ability to make big plays and get open down the field. General Manager Bob Quinn loves bringing in additional competition to improve a specific position, and Pringle would help test second-year player Kenny Golladay who struggled to stay healthy last year.
A mock draft is a fantasy and usually far from what actually happens, but if the Lions real draft results were to mirror my mock draft, I would be a happy Lions fan. On draft night later this week, I expect the Lions to address the running back position earlier than I did, possibly in the first or second round. But we’ll have to wait until Thursday to find out.
How would you draft differently? Please comment below.
Photo credits: Daniel Mears/Detroit News, John David Mercer/USA TODAY Sports
Author: @MichaelLuchies
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