Mock Draft Round Up 8

Walter Football Walter's Mock (20.  Sony Michel, RB, Georgia: The Lions hired Matt Patricia, so the front office obviously believes he can coach up the defensive players. Thus, it wouldn't surprise me if Detroit's initial selection is spent on an offensive weapon. Detroit's rushing attack is extremely lackluster, as Ameer Abdullah has been a major disappointment. Sony Michel would provide a massive upgrade, giving Matthew Stafford the backfield weapon he desperately wants. Michel was Georgia's best running back this past season, and I believe there's a good chance he'll be the second running back chosen in this class.  51.  Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan:  The Lions really need to focus on bolstering their pass rush, and they could use an interior presence to go along with A'Shawn Robinson.  Maurice Hurst is a tweener at 6-2, 282. He's a disruptive player, but doesn't have a defined position.  82. Tarvarus McFadden, CB, FSU:  The Lions have an outstanding cornerback in Darius Slay, but they really need another strong option at the position.  113. Jayln Holmes, DE, OSU:   Ziggy Ansah is Detroit's best free agent. He'll need to be replaced if he leaves via the open market. Another edge rusher wouldn't hurt regardless.  144.  Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan:  If the Lions learned one thing from 2017, it's that backup tackle play is very important. Here's an insurance policy in case either Taylor Decker or Ricky Wagner gets hurt again.) (2-7-18):  http://walterfootball.com/draft2018_1.php

Draft Tek Mock Draft (20. DT Maurice Hurst: The Lions are in a weird spot roster-wise. They need a little bit of everything. Over the past month or so, I have held to the predominant thought amongst Lions' fans that the run game needs fixing. Which is why Derrius Guice is at the very top of my board. However, Guice will be a hot commodity come Draft Day, and with the Lions making it official on Monday that Matt Patricia will be their next Head Coach, it's starting to line up that the Lions will most likely elect to go defense in the first round. This is not to say that the run game won't still need fixing; I'm just not sure how a Quin-Patricia pairing will determine what's best for the roster. Quin has expressed with certainty that the running back situation will get solved, while Patricia's defense in the Super Bowl has many fans worried. The next few weeks will be interesting. On to the analysis! As a Michigan alum, I couldn't be happier with this selection. Hurst may not have the prototypical size of an NFL DT that is going to plug gaps or take on double-teams with regularity, but his explosiveness off the line and his non-stop motor are things to get giddy about. Just when you think he's out of a play, he makes the play. Just when you start questioning his size, he blows past the center and guard to become a disruptor in the backfield. Hurst has NFL-ready talent and by pairing him with A'Shawn Robinson and Ezekiel Ansah (if he signs) could bring back the tenacity in the d-line that's been missing in recent years.  51. RB Ronald Jones: Who said Ford and Tesla can't get along? The "Texas Tesla", Ronald Jones II, could make the Ford family smile if he falls to Detroit. Many draft pundits are mocking Jones to go in the early 2nd round and even squeaking into the bottom of RD1. The Lions could elect to wait to select a running back as the class is incredibly deep this year, but the Lions need someone to step in and take the job away from Ameer Abdullah, whose dancing in the backfield has many Lions' fans annoyed and frustrated with the lack of production. Theo Riddick could still be deployed on passing downs, something that Jones did not do nearly enough of in his career at USC. He only had 32 receptions for 187 yards and 1 touchdown. Let's be honest though, you're not bringing in Jones to catch the football. Jones ran for 1,550 yards and 19 touchdowns on 5.9 yards per carry in 2017. In 2016, with 84 less attempts, Jones rushed for 1,082 yards. Pretty remarkable. A main reason for his success at USC was due to his speed and elusiveness. Per Pro Football Focus, Jones forced 56 missed tackles and also tallied 892 yards after contact. His one-cut running style should fit well into the Lions' running style as they aren't built to bulldoze. If Jones is the Lions' selection, he should slide right in as the number one back come training camp. Sayonara, Abdullah. 82. S Marcus Allen; 114. OLB Dorian O'Daniel; 144. OC Coleman Shelton; 211. DE Trevon Young) (2-7-18): https://www.drafttek.com/2018-NFL-Mock-Draft-Round1b.asp

Draftwire (20. Vita Vea, DT, Washington,  51. Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia; 84. DE Josh Sweat; 116.  CB Donte Jackson, LSU; 144. G Tyrone Crowder; 211. LB Skai Moore) (2-7-18):  http://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/02/01/2018-nfl-mock-draft-4-round-projections-heading-into-super-bowl-lii/2/

Sporting News Mock (20. Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan: Detroit needs to start retooling its defensive line, as age, a lack of versatility and potentially having competition to re-sign Ezekiel Ansah all could be issues this offseason. Hurst is a Michigan man who can bolster the Lions’ run defense and allow them to take high-risk, high-reward pass-rushers later.) (2-7-18):  http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/list/nfl-mock-draft-2018-order-steelers-bills-giants-49ers-eagles-patriots/12s4l8ufbwr581kvdktr5z69co/slide/20

NFL.com's Chad Reuter's Mock Draft (20.  DT Maurice Hurst:  Keeping Hurst in-state will help the Lions pressure QBs from the interior, which is something Detroit has struggled to do since Ndamukong Suh left town.  51.  LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo; 82. DE Chad Thomas) (2-6-18):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000914707/article/threeround-mock-draft-browns-bills-among-7-clubs-that-pick-qb

ESPN McShay Mock (20. Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia) (2-6-18):  http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/02/espns_todd_mcshay_has_the_lion.html

Draft Geek Mock Draft (20. DE Marcus Davenport) (2-6-18):  http://www.nfldraftgeek.com/2018-nfl-mock-draft/

Walter Football Charlie's Mock (20. Marcus Davenport, DE: The Lions grab an end to go opposite of Ziggy Ansah, and if Ansah isn't re-signed, defensive end will be a huge need.  Davenport (6-5, 259) possesses an excellent skill set with speed and agility. He has length and athleticism to play on the edge in the NFL, but needs to learn more pass-rushing moves. In 2017, Davenport notched 55 tackles with 17.5 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks, four passes batted and three forced fumbles. He totaled 6.5 sacks as a junior after notching four as a sophomore.   Edge defenders with length, quickness, and athleticism are always in demand, so Davenport could go in the first round in a weak year at defensive end. Scouts from multiple teams have told me that Davenport is a good player and impressed them in 2017, but they thought the top 16 is too high for him. They think the back half of Round 1 is possible.  51. DT Tim Settle:   Haloti Ngata is going to be a free agent, but even if he's brought back, the 34-year old is nearing the end of an excellent career. Here's an interior presence to pair with A'Shawn Robinson.   Settle (6-3, 335) put together a strong 2017 season and was one of the better defenders on a tough Virginia Tech defense. On the year, the big nose tackle totaled 36 tackles with 12.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks and one pass batted. That was a big improvement over his 2016 season when he had 17 tackles and no sacks. The physical defender has a shot at being a first-rounder because he has some serious speed for such a big body. He also could be a second-day pick in the 2018 NFL Draft given how nose tackles are downgraded.   82. Kalen Ballage, RB, ASU):   The Lions could use a feature back for their offense. Ballage was part of a running back-by-committee approach in college, but he is a tough runner with a powerful build and surprising quickness for such a big back. The 6-foot-2, 222-pounder had an excellent week at the Senior Bowl, displaying his downhill running style with a burst to hit the hole. He also showed some receiving ability. As a senior, Ballage averaged 4.3 yards per carry on 157 attempts for 669 yards with six touchdowns. He had 14 touchdowns as a junior and caught 44 passes for 469 yards and a score that season. Ballage is sleeper back who could be a nice value pick.) (2-5-18): http://walterfootball.com/draft2018charlie_1.ph

CBS Mock Draft Chris Trapasso (20. Derrius Guice, RB, LSU:  Derrius Guice, RB, LSU. The Lions get a true, 20-carry-per-game feature back in Guice, who's a better inside runner than Barkley and rushes with more power and violent jukes at the second and third level of the defense.) (2-5-18):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-mock-draft-champion-eagles-draft-sleeper-ot-jets-giants-get-their-qbs/

Draft Analyst Mock (20.  DE Harold Landry:  The Lions need pass-rush help and may need a replacement for Ziggy Ansah, who could enter free agency if he’s not re-signed.) (2-5-18):  http://draftanalyst.com/monday-musings-post-super-bowl-mock-draft

CBS Mock Draft RJ White (20.  Billy Price, C, Ohio State:  Travis Swanson is a free agent and didn't play all that well last year anyway. Price gives them the best center prospect in the draft and an anchor to solidify the offensive line.) (2-2-18):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-mock-draft-the-odds-of-drafting-a-qb-or-signing-kirk-cousins-for-each-team/

NFL's Lance Zierlein's Mock Draft (20. DE Marcus Davenport:  Davenport has flashes that are reminiscent of Ezekiel Ansah when he came out of BYU in 2013. Detroit might have to replace Ansah this offseason, as he's due to hit free agency.) (1-30-18):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000912165/article/lance-zierlein-mock-draft-10-darnold-barkley-bolster-browns

NFL's Bucky Brooks Mock Draft (20. DT Maurice Hurst:  The potential loss of Haloti Ngata, who's due to become a free agent, could leave a crater in the middle of the Lions' defense. Hurst is a blue-collar 3-technique with the motor and game to be a disruptive force on the interior.) (1-26-18):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000910983/article/bucky-brooks-mock-draft-10-broncos-jags-among-6-to-pick-qb

Detroit Lions O'Hara's Mock (20. Maurice Hurst) (1-26-18):  http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/OHARAS-MOCK-20-The-first-prediction/ca829774-eec1-4d15-92d9-76c03df19742

NFL's Jeremiah's Mock (20.  Billy Price, C, OSU:  Price can play any of the three interior positions and his nasty demeanor fits with what GM Bob Quinn is building in Detroit.) (1-19-18):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000908233/article/jeremiah-mock-draft-10-browns-jets-fins-redskins-take-qb

Kiper Mock Draft (20. DE Sam Hubbard) (1-18-18):http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/01/mel_kiper_lions_need_a_running.html

DraftCountdown (17. Sam Hubbard, DE, OSU: Despite the presence of Ziggy Ansah and the emergence of Anthony Zettel, the Lions still rank in the bottom third of the league in sack production.   There was such an extreme lack of depth they were forced to bring in 37-year-old Dwight Freeney mid-season to try and add a little juice. Making matters even worse, Ansah is going to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. While it’s hard to believe they’d let him get away, another pass rusher is desperately needed in Detroit even if Ansah is retained. Hubbard is a converted safety who has maintained much of that athleticism despite bulking up. Not only is Hubbard a speedy threat off the edge but he also moves extremely well on his feet and in space. And the scary part is he’s still developing and his best football is yet to come.) (1-17-18): http://www.draftcountdown.com/mock-draft/2018-mock-draft/page/2/

PFF Mock Draft (20. DT Vita Vea: While the Lions will give edge defenders a long look, adding the massive Vea to the middle of the defense may be too good to pass up. More than just a 340-pound run stuffer, Vea had the nation’s No. 4 pass-rush grade (88.0) to go with his No. 3 mark in the run game (91.6). He can blow up blocking schemes and push the pocket, adding a necessary disruptor to the Detroit defensive line.) (1-17-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-pff-2018-nfl-mock-draft-2

 Detroit News Justin Rogers (20. Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA. The Lions need all kinds of help up front, especially if Ziggy Ansah isn't retained. Davenport (93) is a long, athletic edge defender who was highly productive rushing the passer last season. The competition jump is significant, but the ceiling is high.) (1-17-18): www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/01/17/justin-rogers-nfl-mock-draft/109550814/

NFL Draft Scout's Rob Rang Mock (20. Sam Hubbard, DE, OSU: If the Lions are able to retain free agent Ziggy Ansah — who registered 12 sacks during an injury-shortened 2017 campaign — Detroit might be able to look at addressing the annually disappointing running game. With depth better at running back than edge rusher, however, adding a blue-collar complementary rusher like Hubbard to pair with Ansah might be the wiser choice.) (1-16-18):http://draftscout.tsxfiles.com/2018/01/16/rangs-mock-draft-recordbreaking-early-entries-make-for-rich-crop/

NFL Draft Scout's Dane Brugler Mock (20. Billy Price, C, OSUThe Lions drafted an Ohio State offensive lineman (Taylor Decker) in Bob Quinn’s first draft as general manager and he could return to Columbus for another one. Price is a day one starter at either center or guard and will help stabilize the interior of Detroit’s line.) (1-16-18): http://draftscout.tsxfiles.com/2018/01/16/bruglers-2018-mock-draft/

 NFL Real GM (20. Harold Landry, Edge, Boston College: A scheme-versatile rusher with bend and closing burst, exactly what the doctor ordered for Detroit’s weak pass rush. I know it’s very early for absolute statements but I’ll be absolutely floored if they take a running back here.) (1-10-18):https://football.realgm.com/analysis/3026/2018-NFL-Mock-Draft-Version-30

Rotoworld Mock Draft (20. RB Derrius Guice, LSU - Guice dealt with a thigh injury this season, slowing him down in practice and multiple games. Once he returned, he was outstanding. His cuts, spins and balance on contact allow him to create yards. I love Ameer Abdullah as an individual player, but it is not working out with the Lions. He has yet to eclipse 600 rushing yards in a season with the team.) (1-9-18): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/77193/344/2018-nfl-mock-draft-no-1

USA Today Mock (20. Derrius Guice, RB, LSU: Ignoring the pass rush might be difficult, especially if Ziggy Ansah goes elsewhere. But Detroit had the NFL's worst rushing attack and has finished in the bottom five in each of the last four years. Guice offers rare big-play ability and could take some of the pressure off quarterback Matthew Stafford.) (1-4-18):https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2018/01/03/2018-nfl-mock-draft-first-round-sam-darnold-josh-rosen/997200001/

The Big Lead Mock (20. Bryce Love, RB, Stanford: The defense has needs, especially putting pressure on the QB, but if the Lions don’t chase Le'Veon Bell (he played at Michigan State in college), it’s time to get Matthew Stafford a high-end running back.) (1-1-18):http://thebiglead.com/2018/01/01/2018-nfl-mock-draft-sam-darnold-josh-rosen-josh-allen-saquon-barkley/

Round 1 (9 DE, 4 RB, 6 DT, 2 LB, 1 CB, 3 C, 1 G):

5 DT Maurice Hurst

4 DE Marcus Davenport
3 DE Sam Hubbard

3 C Billy Price
3 RB Derrius Guice
2 DE Harold Landry
1 G Isaiah Wynn
1 RB Sony Michel
1 DT Vita Vea

Round 2 (2 LB, 2 RB, 2 DT):

1 DT Tim Settle
1 RB Ronald Jones
1 RB Nick Chubb
1 LB Jerome Baker
1 LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo

1 DT Maurice Hurst

Round 3 (1 CB, 1 S, 1 RB, 2 DE):

1 S Marcus Allen
1 RB Kalen Ballage
1 DE Josh Sweat
1 DE Chad Thomas
1 CB Tarvarus McFadden

Round 4 (1 DE, 1 OLB, 1 CB):

1 DE Jayln Holmes
1 OLB Dorian O'Daniel

1 CB Donte Jackson

Round 5 (1 OC, 1 G):

1 OC Coleman Shelton
1 G Tyrone Crowder
1 OT Chukwuma Okorafor

Round 7 (1 DE, 1 LB):

1 DE Trevon Young
1 LB Skai Moore