Walterfootball Charlie (7. DE Greg Rousseau - Detroit's defensive front seven is pitiful, and the team needs a lot of upgrades on the line and at linebacker. Adding an edge rusher to lead the defense would be a good start because there isn't a defensive tackle worthy of a top-10 pick this year. Rousseau (6-6, 260) was one of the best edge defenders in college football during his redshirt freshman season. For his breakout 2019, he notched 15.5 sacks with two forced fumbles and 54 tackles. Rousseau has an excellent skill set with upside to improve, but his development could be slowed down by his decision to opt out of the 2020 season. There is no substitute for experience and a year of refining pass-rushing moves, getting off blocks, and improving technique. Thus, Rousseau will enter the NFL as a 1-year wonder who could require more developmental time. He might still be a top-10 pick, but he will be more raw and underdeveloped compared to other recent high first-round defensive ends like Jadeveon Clowney, Myles Garret, Bradley Chubb and the Bosa brothers. 41. DT Jay Tufele: The Lions need more edge rushers, linebackers, and interior defensive line talent. Here's the last. Tufele was (6-3, 305) a disruptive presence for USC in 2019, totaling 42 tackles with 4.5 sacks and a pass batted. His run defense was improved, and he looks like he has upside to grow and improve. After redshirting in 2017, Tufele had an impressive debut for the Trojans in 2018, racking up three sacks with 23 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss and a blocked field goal.) (1-15-21): https://walterfootball.com/draft2021charlie.php
CBS Trapasso (7. WR Devonta Smith: If Matthew Stafford isn't moved in a trade this offseason, Detroit will have to revamp his receiver room. Smith is a darn good start.) (1-13-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-mock-draft-texans-trade-deshaun-watson-to-dolphins-houston-picks-zach-wilson-at-no-3-overall/
Walterfootball (7. DE Greg Rousseau: There's a chance the Lions may move on from Matthew Stafford; they have an out in their contract with him. However, he's still relatively young (33), so the new regime could decide to build around him if the top three quarterbacks are off the board. That would entail addressing the poor pass rush so that Stafford gets more possession. Gregory Rousseau logged double-digit sacks as a redshirt freshman in 2019. He was compared to Calais Campbell entering Miami. 41. CB Paulson Adebo: The Lions have serious problems at cornerback, so they may use a second-day pick on the position. Paulson Adebo has great size, coverage skills and play-making ability. He struggled a bit in 2019, but could rebound next year. 72. WR Kadarius Toney: Marvin Jones isn't expected back next year, so the Lions need a new No. 2 receiver. Kadarius Toney has big-time play-making ability, but has an injury history. ) (1-13-21): https://walterfootball.com/draft2021.php
Draft Tek (7. QB Justin Fields: If the Cleveland Browns are any indication, going from 0-16 to eventually winning a playoff game within the prototypical 3-year window, is doable. Except in this case the Lions, having went 0-16 in 2008 (securing Matthew Stafford in the process), have not won a playoff game as the Browns have now done with Baker Mayfield (also drafted #1 overall). It's an interesting dynamic, one that I'll admit is a little bit of a reach, but interesting nonetheless. Ultimately, the narrative is true, though; the Browns have won a playoff game before the Detroit Lions, and while semi-laughable, I have a hunch that kind of attention won't be sitting well with Lions' brass; especially if the Browns happen to somehow make a deep playoff run. In that sense, I'm actually rooting hard for "America's Team" in hope that this does spur on some change in mentality from the Lions' front office. What it proves is that the Browns have effectively managed their franchise in order to successfully turn the corner, whereas the Lions continue to drown in a morass of mediocrity. It's a black eye for the franchise. However, rumors are that team President Rod Wood is hoping to make a big-splash coaching hire, and I'm here for it. To date, the Lions have interviewed the league's top targets in Robert Saleh and Eric Bieniemy, while adding in a few questionable names into the mix like Marvin Lewis and Todd Bowles. The latter two, along with Saints' Assistant Head Coach and former Lion Dan Campbell, don't necessarily fit the "big name hire" that has been rumored. Of course, depending on who the Lions hire as their GM or Head Coach will ultimately determine the fate of the #7-overall selection. Will it be a QB to replace a traded Stafford? Will it be a QB to groom behind Stafford? Could it be adding DeVonta Smith to spice up the offense? There are currently so many options for the Lions, especially when not knowing those internal conversations during the interview process. As time goes on, though, we will have a more clear picture as to what the Lions' intentions are with the team and a better understanding if they truly see a rebuild in the works. - Doug Hyde, Lions Analyst 41. DE Joseph Ossai: After grabbing Justin Fields in the first round, Detroit addresses its league-worst defensive unit by grabbing Texas Longhorn, Joseph Ossai. In most circles, Ossai is a late first-rounder, so to grab him here would be a nice little find for Detroit, who desperately needs to find more ways to rush the QB (ranked 25th with 24 sacks in 2020). After Julian Okwara's struggles this season, it may be too early to "give up" on him, but certainly adding another player to this unit wouldn't hurt, especially when considering his brother Romeo Okwara is a free agent (team lead with 10 sacks) and an aging veteran like Everson Griffen's contract is set to expire after the 2021 season. The Lions' defense is all sorts of messy and after addressing QB, it may be a wise strategy to make an all-defensive run with their remaining picks in the draft. - Doug Hyde, Lions Analyst. 72. WR Kadarius Toney. 102. DT Jaylen Twyman. 136. DT Bobby Brown) (1-13-21): https://www.drafttek.com/2021-NFL-Draft-Team-Pages/Lions-Draft-Page.asp
CBS Wilson (7. LB Micah Parsons: Parsons opted out, but he's another player who didn't hurt his draft stock by doing so. He might end up being the best standup linebacker to come out in the last 4-5 years.) (1-12-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-mock-draft-patriots-land-qb-dolphins-add-two-alabama-stars-to-help-tua-tagovailoa/
SN (7. Detroit Lions (5-11) - WR Devonta Smith: The Lions got a nice closing stretch from Marvin Jones Jr. with Kenny Golladay (hip) on the shelf for most of the season, but Jones is also heading into his age 32 season as a free agent. It makes sense to think about a high-level replacement who can form a great new combination with Golladay for Matthew Stafford (or whoever else might be at QB for a new coach). Smith has picked up from he left off last season to become Heisman Trophy-worthy. He has 105 catches for 1,641 yards and 20 TDs in 12 games this season.) (1-11-21): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-mock-draft-2021-alabama-ohio-state-projections/iyc5v9pb00861v16hep3mafb1
PFF Treash (7. DETROIT LIONS: WR JAYLEN WADDLE, ALABAMA: Detroit is in a tough spot with wide receivers Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr. and Danny Amendola all slated to hit free agency. The good news is that they are in a position to grab one of the most electric wide receivers college football has ever seen. Waddle missed most of the 2020 season due to a fractured ankle, but the Bama receiver was truly an explosive play waiting to happen in the four games he appeared in. He generated a Power 5-best 4.68 yards per route run, averaged 10.7 yards after the catch, teamed up for a perfect passer rating of 158.3 on his 29 targets and hauled in 329 deep receiving yards. The latter still ranks 13th among all Power 5 receivers despite appearing just four times all year. Waddle reportedly ran a 4.37 40-yard dash coming out of high school. He is a threat to house it anytime he gets the ball with that speed and explosiveness.) (1-11-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-mock-draft-dolphins-select-qb-justin-fields-with-pick-no-3-49ers-send-pick-no-12-to-miami-for-qb-tua-tagovailoa
ESPN McShay (7. WR Ja'Marr Chase) (1-7-21): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/lions-draft-jamarr-chase-espn-mcshay-mock-draft
Foxsports Mcintyre (7. Detroit Lions – Ja'Marr Chase, WR - 2020 season stats: N/A (opted out of the season). 2019 season stats: 84 receptions, 1,780 receiving yards, 20 receiving TDs. If-and-when Robert Saleh gets the head coaching job, everyone will project defense here. But let’s stop wasting QB Matthew Stafford’s time and get him another receiver. Tag Kenny Golladay and draft Chase, and you’ve got an insanely talented offense.) (1-6-21): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/mock-draft-trevor-lawrence-justin-fields-zach-wilson
PFN's Cummings Lions Pre-Senior Bowl 7-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft (7. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State. 41. Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue. 72. Jabril Cox, LB, LSU. 102. Dayo Odeyingbo, DL, Vanderbilt. 136. Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse) (1-6-21): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/lions-7-round-2021-nfl-mock-draft-pre-senior-bowl
Athlon Sports (7. Detroit Lions — Zach Wilson, QB, BYU: Matthew Stafford wanting to see out his final years on a contender could line up nicely with the franchise drafting his replacement with this top-10 pick. Wilson is not unlike a more athletic version of the team's current QB and could be just the kind of selection that energizes a fan base going through a new change in direction under new ownership.) (1-5-21): https://athlonsports.com/nfl/2021-nfl-mock-draft-first-round-predictions
USA Today Middle-Hurst Schwartz (7. Lions — Micah Parsons, LB, PSU: Where does Detroit start with overhauling a defense that ranked last in yards and points allowed? Given the Lions' modest cap space before addressing wide receiver Kenny Golladay, investing early and often in the draft has to be a priority. Parsons has a strong claim to the title of the draft's most explosive defender, and he's a standout in almost any assignment.) (1-5-21): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2021/01/05/nfl-mock-draft-2021-justin-fields-trevor-lawrence-first-round/4137849001/
Radio.com (7. Detroit Lions: Micah Parsons - Linebacker, Penn State: Both Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones can become free agents this offseason, and it's unclear how the Lions will proceed with quarterback Matthew Stafford. Essentially, the next general manager in Detroit will be inheriting a situation that's a total rebuild. Linebacker is one of the many positions of need, and prior to opting out of his junior season at Penn State, Parsons had 14 tackles for a loss, five sacks and four forced fumbles in 2019.) (1-5-21): https://www.radio.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/gallery/2021-nfl-mock-draft-it-all-starts-at-pick-no-3
CBS Edwards (7. WR Ja'Marr Chase: Detroit will have a new head coach and a new general manager. There are going to be some changes to the roster and that could include an overhaul at wide receiver. Ja'Marr Chase steps in to provide a vertical threat for Matthew Stafford.) (1-4-21): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2021-nfl-mock-draft-with-finalized-order-teddy-bridgewater-done-in-carolina-jets-make-sam-darnold-decision/
PFF Renner (7. DE Kwity Paye: While the Lions have some young pieces to build around defensively, they still don’t have one true difference-maker. Paye has the type of physical tools to be that guy. With 22 pressures in four games this season, he showed he’s much closer to realizing that potential than previously thought.) (1-4-21): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-mock-draft-zach-wilson-new-york-jets-san-francisco-49ers-move-up-justin-fields
Tankathon (7. WR Devonta Smith) (1-2-21):
Draftwire (7. Lions - QB Justin Fields. 42. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown) (12-31-20): https://draftwire.usatoday.com/gallery/nfl-mock-draft-2021-2-rounds-trevor-lawrence-zach-wilson-justin-fields-trey-lance/
Touchdown Wire Schoefield (7. Detroit Lions: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama: If you are going to break the mold in the Top Ten of the NFL draft, you better do it for a complete game-changer. DeVonta Smith is that type of player. Smith is undersized for the wide receiver position by many standards, as he is listed at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, and as you can tell from the above picture, he is what some might consider “slender” for the NFL. But Smith makes up for that with game-breaking ability as a receiver. Last year he was playing in the shadow of Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy – as well as current teammate Jayden Waddle – but this year was his breakout campaign as he caught 17 touchdowns and 98 passes in the regular season alone. With the Lions facing decisions on Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones, Smith is a nice find in the first round.) (12-31-20): https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/touchdown-wire-mock-draft-1-0-trevor-lawrence-justin-fields-zach-wilson-jamarr-chase/
PFF Gayle (7. DETROIT LIONS: WR DEVONTA SMITH, ALABAMA: Even if the Lions re-sign soon-to-be unrestricted free agents Kenny Golladay (27), Marvin Jones (31) and/or Danny Amendola (35), the team still needs more talent at wide receiver. Smith should finish the year with the highest single-season receiving grade in the PFF College era (2014-20) and currently ranks 12th overall on PFF’s 2021 NFL Draft Board.) (12-29-20): https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-mock-draft-justin-fields-atlanta-falcons-jaylen-waddle-philadelphia-eagles-first-round-wr-green-bay-packers
NFL RealGM (11. Detroit Lions: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State. If the new regime wants to hedge their bets away from Matthew Stafford long-term, taking a developmental project like Lance here makes sense. Lance has arm strength to spare but his accuracy and ability to read the field need ample work before he’s ready to play in the NFL.) (12-23-20): https://football.realgm.com/analysis/3334/2021-NFL-Mock-Draft-Christmas-Edition
Yahoo (11. Detroit Lions - Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle: Here’s another “who will be GM and head coach?” situation. Also, is Matthew Stafford in the picture? If the Lions end up being bent on trading him amid a rebuild, that would dramatically change this scenario. Almost certainly, wide receiver is an area of concern. Kenny Golladay is a pending free agent whose price tag could be massive. Marvin Jones is, too. It’s almost certain at least one of them won’t be back. Watch Nick Saban somehow convince Waddle, who is out for the season with an ankle injury, to come back to Bama in 2021. He did it with DeVonta Smith. But in this scenario, he’d step into a big role for the Lions and be a blur on that Ford Field turf.) (12-17-20): https://sports.yahoo.com/2021-nfl-mock-draft-4-quarterbacks-go-in-top-7-overall-picks-140635174.html
PFN Tony Pauline (9. Detroit Lions: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota: The Lions have several good receivers but no true No. 1. Rashod Bateman solves that problem.) (12-2-20): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2021-nfl-mock-draft-tony-pauline-december/
Round 1 Picks (11 WR, 5 QB, 3 LB, 3 DE):
5 WR Devonta Smith
3 WR Ja'Marr Chase
3 QB Justin Fields
3 LB Micah Parsons
2 WR Jaylen Waddle
2 DE Greg Rousseau
1 QB Zach Wilson
1 QB Trey Lance
1 WR Rashod Bateman
1 DE Kwity Paye
Round 2 Picks (2 WR, 1 DT, 1 DE, 1 CB):
1 DT Jay Tufele
1 DE Joseph Ossai
1 WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
1 WR Ronald Moore
1 CB Paulson Adebo
Round 3: (2 WR, 1 LB):
2 WR Kadarius Toney
1 LB Jabril Cox
Round 4 (1 QB, 1 DE):
1 QB Jamie Newman
1 DE Dayo Odeyingbo
1 DT Jaylen Twyman
Round 5 (1 DT, 1 CB):
1 DT Bobby Brown
1 CB Ifeatu Melifonwu
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