CBS Prisco's Mock Draft (20. Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio: With Ezekiel Ansah set to be a free agent, they need to get help for a pass rush that was lacking last year. Even if they keep Ansah, they need help. This kid is raw, but has the size and speed scouts love.) (2-15-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-mock-draft-browns-take-wyoming-qb-josh-allen-with-top-pick/
CBS Mock Draft RJ White (20. Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA: The Lions should be looking for some way to boost their pass rush if they don't bring Ziggy Ansah back next season. While at his best Ansah is tough to handle, injuries have plagued him the last few years and made him largely ineffective. Davenport would be an excellent cheaper option to replace Ansah's production, but there's also a chance the big defensive lineman could be long gone by the time the Lions pick.) (2-15-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock-draft/expert/rj-white/
MLive Nate Atkin's Mock (20. Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama: The Lions hired Matt Patricia to come in and try to take their defense to another level. He'll need better talent in the front seven, especially if Ezekiel Ansah moves on. The Lions have options here. I last gave them Boston College edge rusher Harold Landry, who is still a really good option. But Da'Ron Payne falls in this one, and the Lions did just hire his former defensive line coach in Bo Davis. Payne won't get after the passer too much early on, but he can wreck a running game. Those are the types of players the Patriots often gunned for, and it would free up Jarrad Davis to do what they brought him here for. Depending on Landry's medicals and combine drills, he could have the bounceback to where he's the better player available. For now, Payne looks that pro-ready.) (2-15-18): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/02/nfl_draft_2018_predicting_the.html
CBS Mock Draft Chris Trapasso (20. Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA. The Lions recently hired Bo Davis to coach their defensive line. Who's Bo Davis, you ask? Well beyond having a very "defensive line coach" name, he coached that spot at ... the University of Texas-San Antonio in 2017. Connecting the dots here. Would fill a huge need too.) (2-14-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-mock-draft-sam-darnold-goes-to-giants-cardinals-trade-up-for-josh-rosen/
CBS Mock Draft Ryan Wilson (20. Vita Vea, DT, Washington. a At 6-4 and almost 350 pounds, Vea is one of the biggest players in the draft. And he'd make some sense in Detroit for first-year coach Matt Patricia, who once had Vince Wilfork dominating the line of scrimmage when both men were with the Patriots.) (2-14-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-mock-draft-browns-take-baker-mayfield-no-1-four-qbs-go-in-top-six/
NFL Draft Scout's Rob Rang Mock (20. Marcus Davenport, DE, UT-San Antonio: 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 its annually disappointing running game. With depth better at running back than edge rusher, however, adding a blue-chip athlete like Davenport to develop opposite Ansah (and solid youngster Anthony Zettel) might be the best way to spark a playoff run.) (2-14-18): http://draftscout.tsxfiles.com/2018/02/14/rob-rangs-mock-draft-top-qb-crop-since-famed-1983-class/
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.) (2-14-18): http://walterfootball.com/draft2018_1.php
Draft Tek Mock Draft (20. RB Derrius Guice: With new, defensive-minded Head Coach Matt Patricia coming to town, one would think this pick would be on D. After all, according to Football Outsiders, the Lions' defense finished a below-average 19th overall and 22nd against the pass. In addition, the secondary ranked 22nd against WRs 2 and 3 and 26th against those big, mean TEs. However, if you look at the other side of the ball, the Lions had the 32nd-best rushing attack in the league. Yeah, nice catch; '32nd best' is a nice way of saying 'worst', but I tried. An argument can be made for whether or not these stats have more to do with the offensive line or the RB, but regardless; replacements at both the interior OL and RB are needed. Derrius Guice is a nasty runner, in the mold of Marshawn Lynch, and would indirectly help Detroit's defense by keeping them off the field, anyway. The Patriots' winning formula consists of ball control and maintaining a complex defensive scheme, and Guice will be instrumental in improving the former in that equation. While Guice lacks breakaway speed and left LSU fans wanting more in 2017, his 2016 tape was that of a top-10 pick. Read Jon Ledyard's astute evaluation of the 2018 RB class here. 51. S Armani Watts: Love the player. Love the fit.'...I can hear it now...the draft experts with effusive praise the moment Armani Watts' name is read as the Lions' selection in Round 2. One of my "pet cats" in the 2018 NFL Draft, Watts is an incredible talent. While he is a bit raw, Watts is a rangy safety (see Western Michigan game) with the ability to cover man-to-man and come up to support the run (see Auburn game). While he lacks ideal height for a safety, Watts is bulky for a 5'11" player at 205 lbs, and he carries that weight very well. Most of Watts' deficiencies lie in technique issues, and landing with Belichickian defensive mastermind Matt Patricia is exactly what Watts needs to reach his potential. The Lions just got their version of do-it-all S Devin McCourty, and fans of Detroit's middling franchise should rejoice. 82. CB Donte Jackson; 114. DE Duke Ejiofor; 144. OC Coleman Shelton; 211. OG Wyatt Teller) (2-14-18): https://www.drafttek.com/2018-NFL-Mock-Draft-Round1b.asp
Draftwire (20. DE Arden Key: Even if Ziggy Ansah were to re-sign to a long-term extension instead of hitting free agency, the Lions would need a bookend to pair him with on the other edge. Key’s rare athleticism and explosiveness, combined with his injury and off-field concerns, make him one of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects in this draft., 51. DT Harrison Phillips; 84. OT Alex Cappa) (2-13-18): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/02/13/2018-nfl-mock-draft-updated-3-round-projections-with-trades/2/
CBS Mock Draft Will Brinson (20. Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama: The Patriots defense was best under Matt Patricia when they had a big body like Vince Wilfork in the middle, and Payne has that sort of ability about him.) (2-13-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-browns-are-set-up-perfectly-to-win-another-nfl-draft-season/
NFL's Charlie Casserly Mock Draft (20. DT Da'Ron Payne: Strong player vs. the run, and he has some pass-rush potential.) (2-13-18): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000915990/article/charley-casserly-mock-draft-10-colts-snag-saquon-barkley
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.) (2-13-18): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/list/nfl-mock-draft-2018-order-steelers-bills-giants-49ers-eagles-patriots/12s4l8ufbwr581kvdktr5z69co/slide/20
Walter Football Charlie's Mock (20. Sony Michel, RB: The Lions have to improve their rushing attack to get some balance for their offense. Additionally, Detroit has no assurances that the top second-round backs will get to its second-round choice. Michel could quickly transform the Lions' offense and has true three-down potential. The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Michel averaged 7.9 yards per carry in 2017 for 1,227 yards with 16 touchdowns. Michel has a ton of fans in the scouting community and was receiving second-day grades during the fall before his tremendous finish to the season. One general manager told me he thinks Michel could go late in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Aside from being a quick back capable of ripping off long runs, Michel has shown well in the passing game as a receiver and blocker during his collegiate career. Michel has starting potential for the NFL with speed, strength and versatility. He also enters the pros with less wear-and-tear after splitting carries with a variety of backs at Georgia. Michel played well in 2016 while serving as the backup to Nick Chubb. On the season, Michel took 152 carries for 840 yards - a 5.3-yard average - and four touchdowns. He also had 22 receptions for 149 yards. 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. Kentavius Street, DE: The Lions grab more talent for defensive end. Street has a thick build with speed and athleticism. Sources say that the 6-foot-2, 282-pounder is going to impress in the pre-draft workouts as they hear he could be a workout warrior. Street had a strong week at the East-West Shrine to help his draft grade. In college though, he didn't produce up to his skill set despite having Bradley Chubb getting double teams on the other side. Street also had talent next to him in the form of two future NFL defensive tackles. In 2017, Street totaled 3.5 sacks, 38 tackles for 6.5 tackles for a loss and three passes batted. He had 5.5 sacks with 30 tackles and nine for a loss as a junior. 114. Jerome Baker, OLB: The Lions could use more linebacker talent next to Jarrad Davis. Baker recorded 72 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and three passes broken up in 2017. Entering the season, there was a lot of media hype about Baker (6-1, 225), but in speaking with scouts who did advance work on the 2018 class, they weren't overly impressed with him. They said that Baker runs around more blocks than he takes on and has the speed to get away with that against average offensive lines in college. They thought was more of a second-day- to early third-day-level player. They said Baker is a good player, but not complete and not anything exceptional. They felt Baker was a good, solid, instinctive guy, who in the right system, will play in the NFL, but over time, is a dime a dozen. After Darron Lee was taken in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Baker won the job to be Lee's replacement as Ohio State's fast run-and-chase linebacker. He had a quality debut with 83 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. Baker is a highly athletic linebacker with sideline-to-sideline speed. His fit comes as a Will (weak side) linebacker in a 4-3 defense or being a run-and-chase inside linebacker in a 3-4.) (2-12-18): http://walterfootball.com/draft2018charlie_1.php
Rotoworld Mock Draft (20. DE Marcus Davenport, UTSA - The Lions just added UTSA’s defensive line coach to the same position. It is also a position of need. We saw the same thing last offseason with the Bills and Zay Jones and the Panthers and Christian McCaffrey. Yes, it’s a leap, but all of this is.) (2-12-18): http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/77878/344/2018-nfl-mock-draft-no-2
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
USA Today Nate Davis Mock Draft (20. Sony Michel, RB, Georgia: Maybe he was under the radar a bit given Nick Chubb got more work for the Bulldogs. But Michel's gifts were on full display in the College Football Playoff — the Dawgs should have used him more against Alabama in the title game — and his 7.9 yards per carry average against SEC competition last year is mind-blowing. Detroit has ranked 28th or worse running the ball over the past four seasons and was dead last in 2015 and '17.) (2-6-18): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2018/02/05/nfl-mock-draft-2018-first-round-saquon-barkley/304864002/
Draft Geek Mock Draft (20. LB Rashaan Evans) (2-16-18): http://www.nfldraftgeek.com/2018-nfl-mock-draft/
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
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/
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): http://www.detroitnews.com/picture-gallery/sports/nfl/lions/2018/01/17/justin-rogers-nfl-mock-draft-10/109542840/
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
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 (13 DE, 5 RB, 8 DT, 1 LB, 1 CB, 2 C, 1 G):
8 DE Marcus Davenport
4 DT Maurice Hurst3 RB Sony Michel
3 DT Da'Ron Payne
2 DE Sam Hubbard
2 DE Harold Landry
2 C Billy Price
2 RB Derrius Guice
1 G Isaiah Wynn
1 DE Arden Key
1 DT Vita Vea
1 LB Rashaan Evans
Round 2 (2 LB, 1 RB, 3 DT, 1 S):
1 DT Tim Settle
1 S Armani Watts
1 DT Harrison Phillips
1 LB Jerome Baker
1 LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
1 DT Maurice Hurst
Round 3 (2 CB, 2 DE, 1 OT):
1 CB Donte Jackson
1 DE Kentavius Street
1 OT Alex Cappa
1 DE Chad Thomas
1 CB Tarvarus McFadden
Round 4 (2 DE, 1 OLB):
1 DE Jayln Holmes
1 DE Duke Ejiofor
1 OLB Jerome Baker
Round 5 (1 OC):
1 OC Coleman Shelton
1 OT Chukwuma Okorafor
Round 7 (1 OG):
1 OG Wyatt Teller
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