Detroit Lions: Breaking Down Potential Options with 23rd Pick in 2015 NFL Draft

The Detroit Lions hold the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. That's a lot later than the team typically selects in the first round; Detroit has picked in the top 10 in 10 of the last 13 years. 

There is some recent history with the 23rd pick, as the Lions selected in that slot in 2012. Offensive tackle Riley Reiff from Iowa (pictured) didn't play a lot as a rookie but took over a starting role in 2014 and acquitted himself nicely.

Detroit will likely wind up with a similar sort of return with the 23rd pick this year. Finding an immediate, impact starter is not an overly realistic option. There are a couple of reasons for this.

First, this draft class is notably weaker at the top than most recent years. The instant-impact talents simply aren't as widely available as a year ago.

Secondly, the Lions aren't in a position of dire need at any one spot. Obviously that changes a bit if defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh or cornerback Rashean Mathis departs via free agency, but I (perhaps naively) expect both to be back in Detroit in 2015.

Here are five players you will likely see slotted to Detroit in various mock drafts between now and April's draft, as well as a few others the Lions should give strong consideration to welcoming to the talent den.

Eric Rowe

Rick Bowmer/Associated Press

Utah defensive back Eric Rowe fits Detroit on several levels.

He's got the size (6'1", 204 lbs) general manager Martin Mayhew has shown a definite proclivity for when selecting corners. More than just his height, Rowe has excellent arm length at almost 33" and knows how to use it to his advantage in coverage.

Luke Inman of eDraft took notice during Senior Bowl practices:

"

Eric Rowe CB Utah w an interception., people are falling in one w his prototypical size at 6'1" he's long and big

— Luke Inman (@Luke_Spinman) January 21, 2015"

Rowe also possesses excellent speed for a taller corner. When I communicated with him after he impressively shut down Michigan wideout Devin Funchess last fall, Rowe told me he has run 4.37 in the 40-yard dash.

That effort against Funchess—a likely top-50 pick—came in just his third game playing cornerback. Prior to 2014, Rowe was a three-year starter at safety for the Utes.

Therein lies versatility.

Rowe actually started in the Senior Bowl at safety. Detroit has a need for a young safety, too. If Rowe doesn't cut the mustard at cornerback, he could make the switch back. The Lions already have a success story at that same situation in Glover Quin.

Eddie Goldman

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

One of the more popular projections is for Detroit to select Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman. He's the current choice for B/R's Sean ODonnell as well as both Rob Rang and Dane Brugler at CBSSports.com. 

ODonnell's rationale is based on the assumption Suh departs:

"

The talk of Ndamukong Suh leaving in free agency continues, so it makes sense for the Lions to find his replacement here. The 6'3", 320-pound Goldman has the skill set to fill those big shoes. His solid base and strong upper body make him a force against the run, and a nasty bull rush allows him to bully his way into the backfield and pressure the quarterback.

"

But taking Goldman is a possibility even if Suh returns. Remember, Nick Fairley and C.J. Mosley are also no longer under contract. That's a significant hit to the depth chart—an important hole to fill.

The athletic potential is certainly there for the former prominent Seminole recruit, as noted by NFL.com's Bucky Brooks:

"

I would expect #FSU DT Eddie Goldman to fly up the charts when the coaches get involved in the process. Disruptive, athletic & versatile

— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) January 18, 2015"

Yet his scouting report by Mike Gerken from NEPatriots Draft reveals some legit questions about his NFL potential:

"

Despite his overall athleticism, Goldman does not jump off the tape from a pass rush threat standpoint.  Far too often, I see him “dancing” with opposing offensive linemen, which leads me to question his overall strength.  I was disappointed to see him moved away from the play even when he was only being blocked by one guy.  Goldman seems to lack explosion and once he locks up with his opponent, that is where he stays.  He rarely gets blown back, but he rarely pushes forward either and seems to get stuck at the line of scrimmage.  He also struggles to disengage from his opponent when the run play is near him.

"

The negatives there are readily evident in watching his Florida State tape. There are reasons a player with Goldman's significant potential would still be available at No. 23, and that's risk the Lions would have to be willing to stomach.

P.J. Williams

USA TODAY Sports

Another Seminole prospect who projects as a potential Lion is cornerback P.J. Williams.

He's the current selection in Dan Kadar's mock draft for SB Nation. The explanation makes a strong point:

"

Lets assume for this mock draft that the Lions figure out a way to bring back Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh. After that, one of the team's biggest needs is cornerback. A player like Williams could be brought in to replace Rashean Mathis.

"

Williams has the requisite size for an outside corner at 6'0" and a lithe 196 pounds. He also possesses great movement skills, attributes which caught the eye of NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah:

"

I really like FSU CB P.J. Williams. Smooth movement skills, great awareness and very physical in run game.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 14, 2015"

The game tape is uneven. Williams looked great in games against Oklahoma State and Louisville, but the Syracuse and Georgia Tech games were not all that appealing.

T.J. Clemmings

USA TODAY Sports

If Detroit opts to address the offensive line, one of the leading candidates is Pittsburgh right tackle T.J. Clemmings.

It's not often a right tackle draws first-round interest, but Clemmings is a special case. He played defense for the Panthers until the 2013 season, and he's still learning the nuances of playing offense.

The athleticism is definitely impressive. In his scouting report at Pride of Detroit, Alex Reno gushes about the brute power and outstanding agility Clemmings exhibits as a blocker. All the tools are there for him to develop into an excellent left tackle.

Yet there are drawbacks.

Clemmings is not a finished product by any means. Those flaws were on display during Senior Bowl practices, where his inexperience caused him to lose more reps than he won. Most notable was his inability to sustain initial contact on his blocks.

That led to him winning the initial battle but losing the war. Those growing pains figure to continue in the bigger, stronger, faster NFL. Like current left tackle Riley Reiff, Clemmings might not play much in his first season. His ceiling is higher, however, and that could allow Detroit to move Reiff into left guard, where he is a more natural fit.

Of all the players listed here, Clemmings appears the most likely to already be off the board by the time the Lions pick at No. 23.

Malcom Brown

USA TODAY Sports

Should the Lions opt to address defensive tackle, another player who figures to get strong consideration is Malcom Brown from Texas.

He's a natural to fill Fairley's role of the penetrating attack dog on the inside. Yet Brown plays the run well, something Fairley has not always done in his four years in Detroit.

That was part of the rationale for ESPN's Mel Kiper to mock Brown to the Lions recently.

"

ESPN's Mel Kiper has Lions taking DT Malcom Brown with first pick. http://t.co/F8m0mj5nHN pic.twitter.com/6imcd0fQaH

— The Detroit News (@detroitnews) January 15, 2015"

In this B/R piece by R. Cory Smith from when Brown declared for the draft, there are a couple of reactions that speak to the risk and reward.

"

Brown recorded 6.5 sacks during the regular season during his junior campaign, more than he collected during his first two seasons in Austin. He also led the Longhorns with 14 tackles for loss and six more QB hits.

"

That's a one-year wonder, and those type of players can be scary as prospects. The Longhorns had a coaching change prior to his final season. How much of his newfound success can be attributed to clicking with a coach he's now leaving?

Yet this tweet from Alex Dunlap of Orangebloods also nails the agile defensive tackle.

"

Nasty hands, hi motor, pleasure to watch. 1st rounder, no real cons RT @robstaton: @AlexDunlapNFL give me a take on Malcom Brown? Pro's cons

— Alex Dunlap (@AlexDunlapNFL) December 1, 2014"

Specifically, the "no real cons" line. Brown does everything well between the lines. He's also a model citizen off the field.

Other Possibilites

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Some other players you might see mocked to the Lions in the first round, or perhaps even donning the Honolulu Blue once the draft is over include (in alphabetical order):

• Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
• Cameron Erving, C/OT, Florida State
• Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami-FL
• Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin (pictured)
• Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
• Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
• Quinten Rollins, CB/S, Miami-OH
• Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

It's hard to even project what positions the Lions are zeroing in on at this early point.