CBS Jared Dubin's Mock Draft (20. Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio: As ever, the Lions are still in need of pass-rush help. The last time they took an elite athlete up front with an early pick, it worked out pretty well for them: they got Ezekiel Ansah. Here, they finally get him some help.) (3-15-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-mock-draft-free-agency-shakes-things-up-josh-allen-saquon-barkley-drop/
CBS Mock Draft Will Brinson (20. Da'Ron Payne, DL, Alabama: The Lions put the tag on Ziggy Ansah but need more help on the defensive line and the upside-filled Payne can be the centerpiece for Matt Patricia's first-year defense.) (3-15-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-mock-draft-bills-trade-up-into-top-five-for-qb-saquon-barkley-drops/
Draftwire (20. DT Maurice Hurst: A’Shawn Robinson is a monster of an anchor, but the Lions could use an explosive interior defender to pair with him. While Hurst’s heart situation is definitely something to monitor throughout the process, there’s no denying he’s a first-round talent and one of the most disruptive prospects in this year’s class.) (3-15-18): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2018/03/15/2018-nfl-mock-draft-free-agency-trades-shake-up-latest-projections/2/
CBS Mock Draft Sean Wagner-McGough (20. Harold Landry: You can never have too many pass rushers, especially when you're situated in the same division as quarterback god Aaron Rodgers, the good not great Kirk Cousins, and the young and promising Mitch Trubisky. Last year, the Lions ranked 20th in sacks. But by drafting Landry, bringing back Ezekiel Ansah on the franchise tag, and hiring Matt Patricia as their head coach, the Lions could be poised to improve at one of the most important aspects of the game.) (3-14-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-mock-draft-browns-and-jets-trade-up-for-qbs-browns-take-chubb-no-1/
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. DT Trenton Thompson: 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. 82. Frank Ragnow: The Lions appear to be losing Travis Swanson this offseason, so they'll need to find a new center. 113. Jalyn Holmes: Ziggy Ansah was franchised tagged, so he'll be around next year. It could be possible that 2018 could be his final year in Detroit, however, so a potential successor is needed. 153. CB DJ Reed: The Lions need another talented cornerback to go with Darius Slay, as the other options struggled this past season.) (3-13-18): http://walterfootball.com/draft2018_1.php
CBS Prisco's Mock Draft (20. Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama: They are bringing back Ziggy Ansah up front, but they need more bodies. Payne has the tools to be an immediate impact player.) (3-13-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-mock-draft-browns-take-bradley-chubb-no-1-get-sam-darnold-with-4th-pick/
NFL Draft Scout's Dane Brugler Mock (20. C James Daniels: With starting center Travis Swanson set for free agency, the Lions could look to the draft for a replacement. Daniels possesses rare quickness and length for an interior offensive lineman, projecting as a Day One starter.) (3-13-18): http://nfldraftscout.com/2018/03/13/rang-mock-draft-30-browns-gamble-on-allen-for-future/
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. LB Leighton Vander Esch: The Lions could use a linebacker upgrade next to Jarrad Davis. Vander Esch (6-4, 220) had a breakout junior season with massive production for Boise State. In 2017, he totaled 141 tackles with 8.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, four passes broken up and three interceptions. Vander Esch was limited to six games in 2016 because of injuries. He had 27 tackles and a sack that season. Vander Esch had 20 tackles as a freshman. Vander Esch is expected to be selected in the early rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft. 82. DT Trenton Thompson: The Lions grab more talent for defensive tackle with a penetrating three-technique. Thompson totaled 38 tackles with 3.5 for a loss and zero sacks in 2017, but he also missed multiple games with a knee injury. Thompson was a tough defender for Georgia in 2016, recording 56 tackles with 9.5 for a loss and five sacks. The 6-foot-3, 288-pounder has upside to develop. Thompson could fit well as a 3-4 defensive end or as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense. Scouting sources have said that Thompson has a first-round skill set, but he is inconsistent and doesn't play up to his potential. 114. DE Jeff Holland: The Lions could use more pass-rush end talent across from Ziggy Ansah. Holland (6-1, 249) impressed team sources this year with a strong season as an edge rusher for Auburn. He doesn't have good size for the NFL, but he has some speed and athleticism on the edge with a nose for the quarterback. In 2017, Holland collected 45 tackles with 13 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, four forced fumbles and a pass batted. He made some clutch sacks for Auburn. For the NFL, Holland could fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker. In a 4-3 defense, his role might be limited to being a situational pass-rusher, given his size.) (3-12-18): http://walterfootball.com/draft2018charlie_1.php
CBS Mock Draft Chris Trapasso (20. Josh Jackson: The Lions were clearly in on Richard Sherman before he signed with the 49ers. In Round 1, they take a cornerback with Sherman-esque ball-hawking ability.) (3-12-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-mock-draft-bills-trade-up-to-get-sam-darnold-giants-trade-back-then-up/
CBS Mock Draft Tom Fornelli (20. Derrius Guice: Does the long search for a feature back finally come to an end with this selection?) (3-12-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-mock-draft-browns-get-their-qb-but-not-with-no-1-pick-giants-take-chubb/
Sporting News Vinnie Iyer (20. DE Marcus Davenport: The Lions are keeping Ezekiel Ansah with the franchise tag, but they still need to upgrade the edge pass rush for new coach Matt Patricia and coordinator Paul Pasqualoni. Davenport could have the same situational impact as the Eagles' Derek Barnett did as a rookie.) (3-12-18): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/nfl-mock-draft-2018-order-latest-giants-jets-bills-colts-bears-browns/fatw9l8rzyfzz3xt632ax04v
NFL Real GM (20. DT Da'Ron Payne: A more athletic version of his Alabama predecessor, and current Lions starter, A’Shawn Robinson, Payne can team with his fellow Crimson Tide DT to control the tackle box. Payne has more upside as a pass rusher, something the Lions desperately need.) (3-9-18): https://football.realgm.com/analysis/3038/2018-NFL-Mock-Draft-Version-40-Post-Combine-Edition
CBS Mock Draft RJ White (20. Donte Jackson, CB, LSU: The Lions pick up some elite speed for the secondary in Jackson, who ran a 4.32 40 in the combine and looked solid in his other on-field workouts. Will he be able to hold up at the NFL level at his size? That's yet to be determined, but he certainly has an elite pedigree considering the defensive backs that LSU has churned out in recent years. 51. Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan: A heart condition diagnosed at the combine could cause Hurst to slip, but his talent makes him worthy of a Day 2 pick.) (3-8-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/two-round-2018-nfl-mock-draft-steelers-find-qb-of-future-two-teams-trade-up/
NFL's Lance Zierlein's Mock Draft (20. LB Rashaan Evans: 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.) (3-8-18): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000920140/article/zierlein-mock-draft-20-browns-pick-barkley-first-trade-up-for-qb
ESPN McShay Mock (20. OT Connor Williams) (3-7-18): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/03/todd_mcshay_mock_draft_lions_t_2.html
CBS Mock Draft Ryan Wilson (20. Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan. At 6-foot-2 and 283 pounds, Hurst may be undersized, but his unbelievable quickness more than makes up for it. He'll be an integral piece to new coach Matt Patricia's defense.) (3-7-18): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2018-nfl-mock-draft-giants-move-up-a-spot-for-josh-allen-browns-decide-not-to-take-barkley/
USA Today Nate Davis Mock Draft (20. RB Derrius Guice: Fournette's former backup at LSU could be just the physical presence needed by a Detroit team that has ranked 28th or worse running the ball over the past four seasons and was dead last in 2015 and '17.) (3-7-18): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2018/03/07/nfl-mock-draft-2018-post-combine-saquon-barkley-josh-allen/401305002/
Draft Geek Mock Draft (20. DE Marcus Davenport) (3-7-18): http://www.nfldraftgeek.com/2018-nfl-mock-draft/
PFF Mock Draft (20. Rashaad Penny: The Lions have been looking for answers in the run game for years, and Penny may be just what they need. He has one of the best combinations of size, speed, and quickness in the draft class, all leading to the No. 2 elusive rating in the class (128.6) last season. He can be a factor in the pass game, a prerequisite for living up to first-round value, though he needs work in pass protection, where his 88.3 pass-blocking efficiency (73rd in the class) only tells a part of the story.) (3-6-18): https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-pff-2018-nfl-mock-draft-3
NFL's Jeremiah's Mock (20. DT Taven Bryan: Price can play any of the three interior positions and his nasty demeanor fits with what GM Bob Quinn is building in Detroit.) (3-6-18): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000908233/article/jeremiah-mock-draft-10-browns-jets-fins-redskins-take-qb
Sporting News Mock (20. RB Derrius Guice: The Lions desperately need to fix their running game. While bolstering their offensive line is an option, adding a running back like Guice gives them a special talent with the ability to make up for less-than-ideal blocking.) (3-5-18): http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/list/nfl-mock-draft-2018-browns-jets-bears-raiders-giants-quarterbacks/8vx5j7w4hm2k1mn1ksu6zjf7z/slide/20
NFL.com's Chad Reuter's Mock Draft (20. DT Maurice Hurst: Keeping Hurst in-state gives the Lions the quick and strong tackle they need. 51. DE Dorance Armstrong; 82. RB Royce Freeman; LB Mike McCray) (2-27-18): http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000917695/article/fourround-mock-draft-allen-goes-no-1-bills-cardinals-trade-up
Dave Birkett's Mock (20. DE Harold Landry: The Lions have two main positions of need, pass rusher and RB, and they wouldn't be wrong to address either here. There are good RBs available, including Derrius Guice and Ronald Jones, but impact backs can be had on Day 2. Landry was a dominant rusher as a junior, and he'd have an easy transition in Detroit playing for his old coach, Paul Pasqualoni.) (2-23-18): https://www.freep.com/picture-gallery/sports/nfl/lions/2018/02/22/dave-birketts-2018-nfl-mock-draft-10/110724672/
Kiper Mock Draft (20. RB Derrius Guice) (2-21-18): http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/02/mel_kiper_changes_course_has_l.html
SI Albert Breer (20. DE Harold Landry: Landry was well regarded coming into 2017, and had a good, not great final year at BC. But he’s still solid, and seems like Matt Patricia’s kind of player (as well as Ziggy Ansah insurance).) (2-21-18): https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/02/21/mock-draft-sam-darnold-browns-josh-allen-giants
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. 51. RB Nick Chubb: Not overly flashy but the powerful, between-the-tackles, move-the-chains runner they need.) (2-21-18): http://www.draftcountdown.com/mock-draft/2018-mock-draft/page/2/
Foxsports Joel Klatt's Mock (20. C James Daniels) (2-21-18): https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/video/1166250051971
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
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/
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
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
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 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
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/
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/
Round 1 (12 DT, 11 DE, 9 RB, 2 C, 2 CB, 1 OT, 1 LB):
5 RB Derrius Guice
6 DT Maurice Hurst
6 DE Marcus Davenport
5 DT Da'Ron Payne
5 DE Harold Landry
2 RB Sony Michel
2 C James Daniels
1 DE Sam Hubbard
1 DT Taven Bryan
1 CB Donte Jackson
1 CB Josh Jackson
1 OT Connor Williams
1 LB Rashaan Evans
1 RB Rashaad Penny
Round 2 (2 RB, 2 LB, 1 DE, 1 DT, 1 LB):
1 LB Leighton Vander Esch
1 RB Sony Michel
1 LB Jerome Baker
1 DE Dorance Armstrong
1 DT Trenton Thompson
1 RB Nick Chubb
Round 3 (2 CB, 1 RB, 1 DT, 1 C):
1 CB MJ Stewart
1 DT Trenton Thompson
1 RB Royce Freeman
1 CB Jamarcus King
1 C Frank Ragnow
Round 4 (3 DE, 1 WR, 1 LB):
1 DE Hercules Mata'afa
1 WR Dante Pettis
1 DE Jeff Holland
1 LB Mike McCray
1 DE Jalyn Holmes
Round 5 (1 CB, 1 DT):
1 DT De'Asian Richardson
1 CB DJ Reed
Round 7 (1 S):
1 S Dane Cruikshank
