Ah, here we are once again. It’s Christmas! Ok, maybe not, but it is NFL Draft season! Even better than Christmas, if you ask me. We are just about two months away from the 3-day extravaganza known as the NFL Draft. Mock drafts are flying around. Fans are getting disgusted with who user34529 drafted in the 3rd round. It’s chaos. Utter and beautiful chaos. So why not add to the insanity? Before we get started, I want to add some qualifiers to todays and any future mock drafts.
- I’ll be using PFF’s Mock Draft Simulator so don’t go crazy when you see a player who “shouldn’t be there”. It is what it is.
- Any mock drafts you see from me are just that, from me. It is what I WOULD DO.
- I am NOT a Lions fan so any mock draft from me will, at the very least, be completely objective.
- If you want to interact with me regarding anything you see, you can find me on Twitter @Lfmjr22
So, without further ado, let’s get started. Today’s mock is going to be done straight up. No trades. There will be future mocks where we get a little feistier. Be patient.
DETROIT LIONS MOCK DRAFT V1
Round 1
6. CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
18. ED Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
Round 2
48. LB Daiyan Henley, Washington State
55. RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Round 3
81. CB Garrett Williams, Syracuse
Round 5
154. DT Moro Ojomo, Texas
Round 6
183. QB Aidan O’Connell, Purdue
194. TE Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan
Ok, at first glance, not bad. PFF gave this draft an A. Remember, however, their grades are based on their perceived team needs and where that player is selected. The grades don’t really matter. When I went through this first draft, I missed on some guys that I thought would fit the Lions needs and culture. That’s the draft, though.
In the first round, I wanted Jalen Carter or Will Anderson to help out the defensive line. Neither was there. So, I went with next greatest need and that’s cornerback. At 6, my decision came down to Witherspoon, CB Christian Gonzalez, QB Anthony Richardson or QB Will Levis. At 18, I decided to add another pass rushing DE in Lukas Van Ness. Needs to develop some finesse moves to go with his bull rush but that will come.
The second round was not a good round for me. There were players I hoped would slide to 48 such as LB’s Jack Campbell or Trenton Simpson. Ordinarily, I would just trade back but I’m doing this one straight up. Daiyan Henley is a good consolation prize. Speed from sideline to sideline is something this defense lacks. Believe it or not, Detroit does need to add some offense. With injury history of Deandre Swift and Jamal Williams a free agent, I snagged RB Zach Charbonnet. His only “weakness” might be his route running but that can be improved. He’s a tough runner and difficult to bring down solo.
In the third round, I couldn’t pass up another CB in Garrett Williams. Almost identical skillset to CB Devon Witherspoon in that they can match receivers moves. With uncertainty at that position, grabbing 2 guys who can play immediately was a necessity.
In the 5th and 6th rounds, I beefed up the DL with DT Moro Ojomo, got a developmental QB in Aidan O’Connell and TE in Luke Schoonmaker. This does not mean they can’t draft another QB next year if needed. So, settle down Goff haters. It’ll be ok.
What hurts the most is not having that 4th round pick. There is a ton of talent to be had between picks 81 and 154. Will they trade back and acquire later picks? Seems likely but again, the draft is a fluid thing. Adaptation is key.
