What do the Lions do if Jalen Carter is still on the board at No. 6?
For better or worse, whether you’re willing to admit it or not, almost everyone loves a good mock draft.
OK, maybe good is a stretch. At the very least, we’ll commit to well-reasoned. But, unlike previous projections this year and in the past, where I’ve donned the hat of all 32 general managers, we’re switching up the format for this edition. I’m happily looping in colleagues Nolan Bianchi and John Niyo to share in the mocking experience.
Starting with Nolan, selecting for the Carolina Panthers at No. 1, we’re going to rotate making every third pick (John picks second and Justin third). And since we’re a Detroit-based publication, we’re only going to go through No. 18, the second of the Lions’ first-round choices.
From there, instead of continuing through the remaining 13 first-round selections, we’ll look ahead to the second day, where the Lions hold three more picks — No. 48, No. 55 and No. 81 — discussing the potential options at those spots, based on how we have the early portion of the draft shaking out for the hometown franchise.
Finally, we won’t be incorporating hypothetical trades into this exercise, although we might highlight and discuss the possibility of deals at certain spots.
So, without further ado, Nolan, you’re on the clock. Which quarterback are you eyeing for the Panthers after their bold trade up the board earlier this month?
▶ With the No. 1 pick, the Carolina Panthers select: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Nolan: The Panthers have shown a fair bit of conviction in their plan since Frank Reich arrived, and with the No. 1 pick, they are relishing the opportunity to choose a quarterback — though they reportedly haven’t settled on which one yet. But, after the process shakes out, one has to believe the draft’s top pro-style passer is intriguing to Reich, who once helped Carson Wentz soar to his greatest heights as offensive coordinator in Philadelphia.
Justin: Short and to the point. And Vegas agrees with you, given Stroud is the current favorite at the top spot. Drawing a line to Wentz is interesting because I think there’s overlap with how each was perceived coming out of college, both with their build and skill set. Stroud answered criticisms about his ability to handle pressure with his performance against Georgia, and I think Reich, along with quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and senior advisor Jim Caldwell, can continue the Ohio State standout on that developmental path to maximize his immense physical gifts.
John: To that point, if you look at Reich’s history with quarterbacks — Wentz, Nick Foles, Andrew Luck, Philip Rivers — most of them look more like power forwards than point guards.
▶ With the No. 2 pick, the Houston Texans select: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
John: It’s Year 3 of the Texans’ rebuild under GM Nick Caserio, and it’s well past time to find a franchise quarterback to build around. With Stroud off the board, Houston still is in a good spot, because Alabama’s Young has all the intangibles you want in a leader and virtually the whole package at his position with one big exception — his size. He checked in at just over 5-foot-10 and 204 pounds at the combine, which will make him the smallest first-round QB since 1967. That won’t stop Caserio, though. Nor should it.
Justin: Kyler Murray was 5-foot-10, 207 pounds coming out. Russell Wilson, 5-foot-11, 204 pounds. Sure, Young doesn’t have a prototypical build, but I trust the arm, mobility and decision-making to port to the next level just fine. I love the way he extends plays outside the pocket, while keeping his eyes downfield. As long as scrambling remains a last resort, durability concerns are lessened.
▶ With the No. 3 pick, the Arizona Cardinals select: Will Anderson, Edge, Alabama
Justin: If we were allowing trades, I imagine my phone would be ringing steadily. The Cardinals don’t need a quarterback, but the Colts desperately do at No. 4, so there’s bound to be heavy interest in this selection. Heck, the Cardinals could even hold the Colts hostage on the guise someone is trying to jump them, much like the 49ers did to the Bears in 2017, when they got Chicago to pay handsomely to move up from No. 3 to No. 2 for Mitch Trubisky.
But, if the Cardinals stick at this spot, which remains a realistic possibility, they’ll be in a prime position to land the best defensive prospect on their board for a unit that allowed more than 26 points per game last season and lost some key pieces with J.J. Watt’s retirement and Zach Allen and Bryon Murphy departing in free agency. And while there’s been some effort to poke holes in this player’s scouting report leading up to the draft, give me the prospect who has been viewed as a top-five guy since his freshman year.
John: Pick up the phone! It’s me, Martin Mayhew. What’ll it take to move up to 3?
Justin: Martin, good to hear from you. A drop all the way to No. 16, huh? That might cost more than you’re willing to pay. We’d want your first-rounder the next two years, as well. Let me put you on the phone with our new assistant GM Dave Sears. You guys worked together in Detroit, right? I’ll let you hammer out the details if you’re still interested.
▶ With the No. 4 pick, the Indianapolis Colts select: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Nolan: All signs point to the Colts going quarterback here. After years in QB purgatory, the No. 4 pick provides Indy with a perfect opportunity to pair new, offensive-minded head coach Shane Steichen with his quarterback of the future. Yet, with two quarterbacks already gone, and so many other holes on the roster to fill before this team is a contender, one has to wonder how motivated the Colts are to get that done in the here and now. Is there pressure on GM Chris Ballard to win next season, or could they get away with a tank year that gives them a chance at USC’s Caleb Williams?
Ultimately, Steichen’s success developing Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia should ease the fear of taking on a project at QB. Even if the two guys drafted before him have the higher floor, Richardson’s upside is too good to pass on at this spot.
John: It’s really hard to tank in the NFL, and harder still to project what a draft class will look like more than a year out. But, you bring up something here that I’ve wondered about, too. Which of these new regimes has the ability to do what the Lions and Bears have done the last couple of years and take their lumps with a complete teardown? I’m fairly sure Jim Irsay doesn’t have the patience for it right now.
Justin: I don’t know, John. Tank-for-Tua worked out perfectly, sans the whole lawsuit and stripping of this year’s first-round pick for violating league policies pertaining to the integrity of the game.
▶ With the No. 5 pick, the Seattle Seahawks select: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech
John: This is where things start to get even more interesting. The Seahawks aren’t desperate for a quarterback after signing Geno Smith to an extension, but they’re also flush with draft capital — and a rare top-five pick — after the Russell Wilson trade. So, I wouldn’t rule it out if one of the top four was still on the board here.
Yet, this is also a chance to land a Pro Bowl-caliber talent on the defensive line. John Schneider and Pete Carroll haven’t been risk-averse when it comes to early-round picks with red flags, so maybe this is the team that’ll break Jalen Carter’s fall after a disastrous pre-draft season for the Georgia defensive tackle. Instead, the safer pick here makes plenty of sense for Seattle, even after making a splash in free agency with the Dre’Mont Jones signing. In Texas Tech’s Wilson, they’ll add an explosive edge rusher who has the physical traits to be a versatile three-down player and brings far less baggage.
▶ With the No. 6 pick, the Detroit Lions select: Peter Skoronski, OL, NorthwesternJustin: For a second there, I thought John was going to save me from having to decide what to do with Carter.It’s admittedly a difficult situation to decipher, because even before he was charged with a pair of misdemeanors stemming from an auto accident that resulted in the death of a former teammate, as well as a Georgia staffer, I had been hearing rumblings the Lions had off-field concerns. Tack on an ugly pro-day performance, where he came to the event overweight and out of shape, and it’s easier to see Detroit passing. Remember, GM Brad Holmes has repeatedly said it’s about adding the right guys to the roster.
It’s unfortunate, because no one can deny Carter’s skill set would be a perfect fit for what the Lions need. He’s an interior force against the run and the pass; but alas, I’m going in a very different direction.
Given the Lions have plugged a number of pressing roster holes in free agency, there’s flexibility to go with the best player available. So, I’m looking, somewhat surprisingly, to the offensive line.
With Taylor Decker and Frank Ragnow on lucrative deals, and Penei Sewell not far off from cashing in on a contract that could dwarf both of those, it could be tough for the Lions to re-sign Jonah Jackson as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. On top of that, the other guard spot also has long-term concerns with Graham Glasgow only re-signing for one year. So, give me one of college football’s dominant offensive tackles, a technician and high-level athlete who has a frame better suited to move inside at the next level, but maintains the flexibility to slide back outside if you ever need him there.
Nolan: Justin going with the Moritz Seider-esque pick here. I don’t hate it, and I think Holmes has the cache with Lions fans to get them on board with pretty much anything — especially trench play.
John: Justin now advocating for an offensive tackle with T-Rex arms at No. 6 overall? Aidan Hutchinson would like a word, sir.
Justin: Different animal, entirely. Even with Hutchinson, the athleticism, particularly his short-area agility, negated many of my concerns with his reach. But, as noted, I’m not drafting Skoronski to play tackle, I’m penciling him in as a starting guard where arm length is less of an issue. Think Brandon Scherff and Zack Martin, two early first-rounders who successfully made that switch.
John: Fair enough. And for what it’s worth, it was fun to watch him maul some legit NFL talent in the Big Ten. But I’ll be forwarding you all the ALL-CAPS hate mail from Lions fans in my inbox.
▶ With the No. 7 pick, the Las Vegas Raiders select: Myles Murphy, DL, Clemson
Nolan: The Raiders can go in a lot of different directions with this pick. Historically, a mantra of, “Just win, baby,” might mean taking Georgia’s Carter. But, first-round picks haven’t worked out in Vegas lately, for a variety of reasons (including character), and spending the seventh pick on a player with major red flags probably isn’t the move this front office needs right now.
The good news for Vegas is that no matter which need they decide to fill — offensive line, defensive line, cornerback — they can probably do it while still taking their (next) best player available. While Clemson’s Murphy doesn’t possess Anderson’s dominance or Wilson’s freakish physical traits, he has enough of both to make him a very intriguing player at the top of the draft. Lining him up opposite Maxx Crosby gives the Raiders’ current best player some help, while allowing their top prospect to develop without pressure of being the guy from jump.
Justin: I know, I know, scout the player, not the uniform, but you’re going to give Raiders fans cold sweats thinking about Clelin Ferrell.
John: I wouldn’t be shocked if the Raiders went quarterback here, even after the Jimmy G signing. Garoppolo’s only 31, but his durability is a concern (paging Brian Hoyer) and his new deal with the Raiders feels more like a bridge to tomorrow for Josh McDaniels & Co.
Nolan: I thought about quarterback as well, and this kind of goes back to our conversation at pick No. 4: Can a second-year GM/coach afford to build this thing methodically after being given a roster meant to win now? I’m not sure any QB in this range helps next season’s outlook, and, ironically, I get the feeling this ex-Pats regime might be in a spot similar to the one Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia were in when selecting Jeff Okudah.
▶ With the No. 8 pick, the Atlanta Falcons select: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
John: Another dilemma, as the slide continues for Carter. The Falcons do need help on the defensive front — every team does, really — but this staff should know better than most just what the issues are, and I doubt they came away from Georgia’s pro day feeling like Carter’s their guy in the top 10.
But, Witherspoon could be, and he’d be a terrific addition to pair with A.J. Terrell — as well as newly acquired safety Jessie Bates — in Atlanta’s secondary. There’s healthy debate about who’ll be the first cornerback off the board in this draft, but between Witherspoon’s coverage ability and his aggressive, hard-hitting approach, he’d be my choice: A coach’s dream and a receiver’s nightmare.
▶ With the No. 9 pick, the Chicago Bears select: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Justin: Given the improvements made by Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa after bolstering their arsenals last season, there’s a case to be made for continuing to upgrade Justin Fields’ weapons, even after onboarding D.J. Moore.
But how about providing the dual-threat quarterback with better protection? Left tackle Braxton Jones, a fifth-round pick last year, played well above reasonable expectations as a rookie, but the team’s right-tackle spot is up for grabs, after veteran Riley Reiff departed in free agency. Whether the solution is shifting Jones over or drafting a plug-and-play option, Fields’ former college teammate is a physical prototype who allowed just one sack in more than 1,400 pass-blocking snaps during his college career.
Nolan: This trade looks better for the Bears every day. While jump-starting a rebuild with a Will Anderson type is enticing, this feels like a, ‘Fine, twist my arm. I’ll go get a potentially dominant tackle instead,’ kind of deal.
Justin: Not that it was unexpected, but the trade with the Panthers was a commitment to Fields. Now, it’s time for them to truly wrap their arms around the quarterback by setting him up for success.
▶ With the No. 10 pick, the Philadelphia Eagles select: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Nolan: All right, enough is enough. A year after taking mammoth Georgia lineman Jordan Davis, the Eagles double-up on hulking Bulldog defenders to help aid the loss of Javon Hargrave. Eagles GM Howie Roseman wouldn’t necessarily be drafting Carter for the sole purpose of filling a need, but that should help explain away the decision here.
Carter is a 6-foot-3, 314-pound mauler up the middle with instant potential to change a defensive line. Hargrave is gone, Fletcher Cox is 32 years old and Davis is still growing into his own. After all the talent Philadelphia has lost following its run to the Super Bowl, getting arguably the best player in this draft class would be a massive win, no matter the smoke that comes with it. Can the culture of head coach Nick Sirianni nurture a Carter redemption arc?
Out of all the teams picking in this range, Philadelphia — with a roster chock-full of experienced pros — is probably one of the best destinations for a young man looking to get his feet back under him.
▶ With the No. 11 pick, the Tennessee Titans select: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
John: It feels like all four of the top quarterbacks will be gone by this point, and I’d be surprised if there wasn’t another team trading up into the top 10 to make sure of it. But, if Levis fell to the Titans here, they’d have to think long and hard about it, especially after both their AFC South rivals landed a quarterback in the top five in this mock.
Ryan Tannehill is almost 35, finished last season on injured reserve, and is entering the final year of his contract with a $36.6 million cap hit. The Titans still could decide to move him this offseason, and Malik Willis, last year’s third-round pick, looked more like a developmental project than a franchise QB as a rookie. New GM Ran Carthon has given both a cursory endorsement this winter, but maybe he’ll decide to bring in his own guy. Levis needs a lot of polish, too, but he has the prototypical size and arm strength and seems like a fit for the Titans’ offensive philosophy under Mike Vrabel.
Justin: It’s a tough spot for Carthon, for sure. Regardless of what he does at QB, who is protecting that man’s blindside after the team cut ties with Taylor Lewan this offseason?
John: That was the debate for me here, and I’m guessing there’s enough variance of opinions on the top tackles in this class that the Titans’ first- or second-favorite isn’t already gone in this mock.
▶ With the No. 12 pick, the Houston Texans select: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Justin: Have you taken a good look at the projected receiving corps in Houston after trading away Brandin Cooks? There’s new addition Robert Woods, who is four years removed from his last 1,000-yard season, Nico Collins, a big-framed outside option with some upside, and Noah Brown, who caught 43 balls in a “breakout” fifth season with the Cowboys last year.
The Texans are also expected to get John Metchie back in the fold this year. Last year’s second-round pick missed his rookie season while undergoing treatment for leukemia. Still, all totaled, this franchise needs some pass-game upgrades if Young, their first pick, is going to have any chance to succeed early in his career. And while Smith-Njigba has some injury concerns after missing most of his final season at Ohio State, the 1,600 yards and nine touchdowns he posted the previous year speak to his playmaking ability.
John: The nagging question with Smith-Njigba is whether he pulled the chute on his team last fall. His teammates publicly defended him after he opted out of Ohio State’s playoff game. But I guarantee that’s one of the first things teams are asking him about in interviews.
▶ With the No. 13 pick, the New York Jets select: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
Nolan: Both of the Jets’ offensive tackles last season — George Fant (30) and Duane Browe (37) — are on the wrong side of 30, and former starting center Connor McGovern just signed with the Bills. Left tackle Mekhi Becton, a former No. 11 pick in 2020, has played all of 15 NFL games after missing the entirety of last season because of a fractured kneecap and playing just one game the year before.
Whether it be for Hall-of-Famer Aaron Rodgers or fledgling third-year QB Zach Wilson, addressing the offensive line early feels paramount for New York in this draft. Ideally, the Jets would be able to snag someone versatile. The future of Becton looks unclear, and a player like Skoronski would allow them to mix and match to create the best overall unit. Instead, they’ll settle for Jones, who should help shore up the most important position on the line and is one of his class’ more athletic players.
John: Since Rodgers is now the de-facto GM in New York, I fully expect this will be an offensive skill-position player.
Justin: I approve of this joke. Poking fun at Rodgers is the only way I can cope with this drawn-out trade drama between the Packers and Jets.
▶ With the No. 14 pick, the New England Patriots select: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
John: The influx of big, talented receivers coming into the NFL in recent years has Bill Belichick in search of someone to cover them. And in this draft, there might not be a better answer than Gonzalez, who surely is the top cornerback on many teams’ draft boards and could well be gone by the 14th pick.
But, he’s here now, and his combination of size (6-1, 197) and speed (4.38 40-yard dash) would be hard to pass up. The fluid movement and play strength are there, too. And for the Patriots, he’d fit nicely opposite recently re-signed vet Jonathan Jones on the outside.
▶ With the No. 15 pick, the Green Bay Packers select: Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
Justin: I don’t know how it’s being framed in Green Bay, but the franchise is most certainly entering a rebuild. It might not be as drastic as the teardown Detroit went through two years ago, but when you part ways with an MVP quarterback, it’s a good time to reset the roster, exchanging veterans for cost-controlled youth.
I strongly considered trolling the situation by slotting the Packers a first-round receiver they would never give Aaron Rodgers. Alternatively, if you’re looking for value in the early stages of a rebuild, you can’t go wrong with trench players. This team is going to need an offensive tackle sooner than later, with David Bakhtiari likely entering his final season with the team. But, ultimately, I settled on Branch.
The Alabama standout is smart, physical and competitive. He has enough versatility to be plugged into the starting nickel role immediately or fill Adrian Amos’ spot at safety. Branch also has the intangibles to become a leader for years to come.
▶ With the No. 16 pick, the Washington Commanders select: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Nolan: Just when the Steelers thought stars were aligning — wham — here come the Commanders to swipe the son of a Pittsburgh icon. The fit here makes sense, with Washington looking to turn a corner defensively, after years of stacking the D-line with talent. And it couldn’t come at a better time, with the other top NFC East teams providing a gauntlet of talented wide receivers.
Porter’s approach to the game is enticing enough and he’s incredibly physical to boot. He didn’t intercept the ball much at Penn State, and was known to be a bit handsy with receivers, but for a player with all the intangibles, those things should be smoothed over with time.
▶ With the No. 17 pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers select: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
John: The Steelers’ biggest need probably lies elsewhere. But Smith just seems like the type of player — and person — Mike Tomlin would fall in love with in the pre-draft process. It’s more than his ridiculous combine numbers and the quick-twitch ability that’s easy to see on film. It’s also his charisma and character that make him an easy sell.Pittsburgh may be inclined to add an offensive tackle with their first pick. Or perhaps one of the top corners in a draft loaded with them. But, adding another edge rusher — even an undersized one like Smith — behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith — is hardly out of the question.
▶ With the No. 18 pick, the Detroit Lions select: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
Justin: I was left with plenty of compelling options here for Detroit’s second pick. In my first mock draft, posted in early February, I slotted the team running back Bijan Robinson. He’s still on the board, and I like the player even more after the combine, but after giving David Montgomery $18 million over three years, I’m less convinced the team would consider the three-down prospect.
There’s also the ability to add reinforcements to the secondary, namely hyper-athletic Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks, who could be a long-term solution as a physical outside option opposite free-agent addition Cam Sutton.
And I haven’t forgotten about the need at defensive tackle, with Bryan Breese and Calijah Kancey still on the board. I’d venture to guess Detroit sees Breese as the better schematic fit, but it also feels like a slight reach for a team that doesn’t have to chase needs.
So, I went with who I felt was the best player available in Van Ness. Yes, the Lions are loaded on the edges after Romeo Okwara and Charles Harris took pay cuts to stick around, but a first-round draft pick is a four- or five-year investment, and Van Ness projects as a high-level producer on the outside, possessing the size and power to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
Nolan: Out of the other options you mentioned, are there any that bring you a particular concern? Lions fans were salivating at Kancey’s combine.
Justin: Yeah, you hit the nail square. Kancey has rare speed and burst for an interior lineman, but the size concerns me. It’s not his height and weight, because I think we’ve seen enough defensive tackles capable of overcoming that, going as far as to turn their combination of quickness and natural leverage into an advantage.
It’s Kancey’s arm length that gives me pause. I’m sure plenty of people reading this will scoff at the suggestion, but his wingspan measured historically short at the combine, and it’s easy to imagine how that could limit him at the next level, where he’ll always be facing a reach disadvantage every snap against NFL offensive linemen who are masters of playing with technique.
In Detroit’s 1.5-gap, hybrid front, length has the potential to be an even bigger issue. Kancey’s best chance of success is playing for a team that is all about penetration and attacking up front. That’s just not how Detroit is set up to play inside.
John: So, my biggest question with Van Ness is how the heck was he never a starter at Iowa? That’s baffling to me. Maybe to some scouts as well. But, if it doesn’t work out with the Lions, the Red Wings probably could find a role for him.
Justin: It’s a fair question, but from everything I’ve gathered, this is just the way Kirk Ferentz runs his program, giving honorary starter status to his upperclassmen. Van Ness played more snaps than the other Hawkeye edge defenders, which mitigates the concern, in my opinion. The film is good, particularly the power element of his game. And his electric showing at the combine, with elite speed and agility numbers, only rubber-stamps the resume.
John: One more, since we didn’t talk about it before: What are the odds the Lions try to use some of their excess draft capital to move up again? Holmes did it last year to snag Jameson Williams? Who’s the player that’s off the board already in this mock that might tempt him to do it again?
Nolan: Every time I watch Devon Witherspoon, I become convinced that Holmes and Dan Campbell love him. He’s an absolute menace. What makes this all interesting, though, is the lack of consensus on this year’s cornerback class — it’s not all that dissimilar from last year’s wide receiver group — and the fact that the Lions are picking at 18, not 32. It’d cost less to move up, but there’s also a greater chance you can get a player you like at 18 anyway.
Justin: OK, with Skoronski and Van Ness getting fitted for Honolulu blue, let’s skip ahead to the draft’s second day.As mentioned when we started this thing, the Lions hold three picks in the next two rounds. There’s still a need at defensive tackle. And you can also make a case the team could use a big-bodied receiver to replace DJ Chark, assuming he doesn’t re-sign. Other question marks include tight end, linebacker and cornerback, where there are still some long-term questions.
Are there any particular prospects you have your eye on for Day 2, whether at those positions or another?
John: I’m really curious to see where Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker falls in this draft, coming off that ACL injury. I’m not convinced he makes it out of the first round, but if he does, maybe that’s a good way to make use of the extra pick from the T.J. Hockenson trade. He might not have the biggest arm, but he seems like a natural fit in the offense the Lions are running right now. And even though he’s older (25), he’s got some upside with his size and athleticism that’s intriguing.
Nolan: There are two things that have shaped my perception of the Lions’ draft strategy. One, a quote from Holmes last year after trading up for Jameson Williams: The GM said he didn’t trade up to get a receiver; he traded up to get Jameson Williams. And then at the combine, Campbell talked about the small, upper echelon of players who appear to have that ‘dawg’ in them, a la Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
As we consider Day 2, I’m curious: Is it crazy to think that the entire strategy is to whittle down a list of ‘dawgs’ — which, based on Campbell’s comments, is around 5-10% of available players — and then just grab as many as possible? It’s not exactly a complex strategy, but also doesn’t appear to be as simple as, ‘They need a cornerback and they can pick from three good ones at [insert draft position here],’ which is a thought process generally assigned to most teams.
John: You mean guys like that Oregon linebacker with the last name Sewell? Yeah, I think he’d be on their draft board somewhere.
There are also some local guys who would fit that profile, actually. Michigan’s Mazi Smith could be another anchor for Holmes in that young defensive front he’s building, though I bet he ends up with the Steelers somehow. Later in the draft, someone’s going to be happy with Bowling Green’s Karl Brooks, a two-time captain and Lansing native who should’ve gotten a combine invite. Likewise, the Wolverines’ Luke Schoonmaker is the kind of player anybody would want to coach, and he’s an underrated talent who would fill a need at tight end on this roster, too.
Another blue-collar prospect I could see the Lions latching on to is Syracuse tackle Matthew Bergeron, who’s an impressive run blocker that could probably thrive inside at guard. I’d imagine he’ll go early on Day 2. But, again, that’s where that extra draft capital comes in handy. If there’s a player the Lions covet at the top of the second round, they can move up to grab him.
Justin: Nolan, I think you’re on to something with the pursuit of “dawgs.” That was in response to my question to Campbell, because we can all see Sewell and St. Brown have become pillars of the franchise’s identity. Holmes has another word for it: intangibles.
It’s why a player like Utah cornerback Clark Phillips stands out maybe more than he should, given his measurables. Listen to him talk, and you hear his swagger. He’s like a little Aaron Glenn clone. And despite subpar combine numbers, you don’t intercept six passes in a season by accident. Phillips is as smart as he is competitive.
Also in the secondary — and I recognize the Lions just signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson — but I’ve long liked Texas A&M’s Antonio Johnson, who plays with that same intensity and has similar versatility to play multiple spots, including the slot, as a 6-foot-2 safety.
Up front, I’ve been impressed with Wisconsin defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, an offseason riser who performed well at both the Senior Bowl and combine. And stepping back a level, Washington State’s Daiyan Henley is an undersized, but highly athletic linebacker with undeniable production at both Nevada and Washington State. The Lions took a chance on an undersized productive linebacker last year and Malcolm Rodriguez paid massive early dividends.
Well, gentlemen, I think this new format was a fun twist, breaking the monotony of the lengthy pre-draft process. Let’s do it again next year.