Detroit Lions Mock Draft: 7-Round Predictions, Post-Combine

I have a confession. Until this very moment, I hadn't published a Detroit Lions mock draft, much less one that encompasses all seven rounds.

Sure, there was an article outlining Detroit's round-by-round big board and others about potential targets. But we all know mock drafts are the lifeblood of the offseason. They keep us going when real football is the furthest away.

Therefore, in an effort to atone for that mistake, here's a post-combine seven-round mock draft that is sure to aggravate, annoy and even anger some of you. For those who just enjoy a pleasant read about the Lions, I understand, but would you mind clicking through anyway?

Round 1 (23rd Overall): DT Malcom Brown, Texas

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

This feels lazy. The criticism will probably come quickly in both the comments section and on Twitter, featuring words like "copycat," "hack" and others:

"

@mikerothstein that is the stupidest pick they could make. Mike, why you lying to the people of this great nation?

— Johnson™ (@johncarl152) February 22, 2015"

But the reasons others have cited for the Lions taking Malcom Brown are still true, even if they are often discussed. You're just bored of the same old story. That doesn't change the outcome though.

It's extremely unlikely that Detroit can retain both of its premier defensive tackles. Thus, C.J. Mosley will be the linchpin of the position. If he stays, the need at the position falls to Andre Fluellen levels. If Mosley decides he can find a better offer elsewhere, there will be a huge hole in the middle of the league's best run defense.

And Mosley's signing doesn't exclude Brown's pick either since Lions general manager Martin Mayhew believes in grabbing the best player available instead of picking based solely on need. That player could very well be Brown at 23rd overall, if you ask NFL Network's Mike Mayock:

"

"This kid's tape is so clean. Stout vs. run, pushes pocket, excellent hand placement." - Mike Mayock on Malcom Brown #IfMayockhadTwitter

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 22, 2015"

Brown can step in right away and give the Lions a great chance of keeping up their run-stuffing ways with his 6'2", 320-pound frame. He needs to add more strength to anchor the line by himself, but next to either Ndamukong Suh or Nick Fairley, he'll immediately form arguably the NFL's best defensive tackle duo. 

Another reason people are down on Brown is his seemingly Fairley-esqe college career (supposedly one great year). However, only his sack number spiked to 6.5 from 2.5 in 2013. He also racked up 12 tackles for a loss his sophomore year, which was two fewer than in his junior year. 

Round 2 (54th Overall): OG A.J. Cann, South Carolina

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The new blocking scheme didn't fit the Lions well. The lack of athleticism at left guard and center meant those two positions weren't effective at getting in front of their assignments, allowing defenders to penetrate and disrupt longer-developing plays in the backfield.

A.J. Cann would be a great fit for that scheme. And this would be a great place to grab him value-wise:

"

South Carolina G A.J. Cann has very similar credentials to Lions RG Larry Warford and C Travis Swanson. Would be a great fit at LG.

— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) February 18, 2015"

Cann has impressive athleticism for a 6'3", 313-pound man. He didn't participate in any of the timed exercises at the combine, but observers still got a glimpse of him during the untimed change-of-direction drills:

"

phew, A.J. Cann has some great feet. T.J. Clemmings incredibly athletic. Great stuff.

— Andrew Kulha (@Hawkeyes247) February 20, 2015"

Cann would be the answer at left guard for the departed Rob Sims. He needs to anticipate better in pass protection, using that athleticism to counter the defenders instead of trying to overcompensate for his slow start. However, he's an accomplished run-blocker with enough upside to warrant a second-round pick.

Round 3 (88th Overall): DB Eric Rowe, Utah

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

As Bleacher Report's Luke Easterling explains, it's tough to nail down where Eric Rowe will be available:

"

Utah DB Eric Rowe seems to be one of the most polarizing evals on here. I see some have him graded as a 1st, others a 5th. Interesting.

— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) February 19, 2015"

One cutup of tape over at DraftBreakdown.com will show you why.

You see him use his size to press receivers often, and he's a willing, capable tackler against the run or after the catch. However, he can struggle with speed routes. The last two plays of the video against UCLA illustrate his struggles considering the Bruins use essentially the same route twice. He's beaten on both, the second for a touchdown.

His versatility will be a huge talking point for draftniks from now until the end of his third year. By then, he'll have either established himself as a cornerback (as is his wish, as noted by Dane Brugler of CBS Sports below), or everyone will be lamenting his team's reluctance to move him to safety, where he could really shine.

"

#Utah DB Eric Rowe says he "prefers" playing CB because of the challenge. Really likes playing man-to-man

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 21, 2015"

The variance of his draft stock is due in part to his versatility. It's a blessing, because he can fill different roles for whichever team drafts him, but it also gives the impression that he can't excel at either.  That could play to Detroit's advantage should he still be available here.

Round 4 (119th Overall): DE Cedric Reed, Texas

USA TODAY Sports

Much like when Mayhew grabbed Kyle Van Noy to reunite him with former teammate Ziggy Ansah, Cedric Reed will get a chance to launch his career next to a familiar face.

No, the Lions aren't going to move Reed up their board just because he played college football with presumed first-round pick Malcom Brown. Mostly because Reed is deserving of this pick of his own accord:

"

Cedric - "Cedric Reed DE has the NFL size 6'6 270 long arms, good moves. High character. Could get drafted 4 or 5 round."

— Louie Belina (@LouieB1150) February 20, 2015"

Reed isn't going to blow anybody away with raw workout numbers. He's big enough (6'5", 272 lbs) to fit the mold set by Devin Taylor and Jason Jones. And he has the type of desire and attitude that any coach would love:

"

Cedric Reed's a warrior. Got bombarded every week w/ questions about his production and never said a word, or used knee as excuse. #HookEm

— Alex Dunlap (@AlexDunlapNFL) January 3, 2015"

Dunlap's opinion is built on a solid foundation. Reed played with a torn meniscus during the 2014 season after posting 19 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks the prior year.

He'll need to become more physical at the point of attack to find a steady place in the defensive line rotation early on. Still, it's hard to beat his NFL-ready frame. Detroit won't be able to wait past the fourth round, because Reed has the physical and mental attributes necessary to be a steady contributor.

Round 5 (150th Overall): RB Karlos Williams, Florida State

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The 2015 NFL draft could go down as the year of the running back. It is a ridiculously loaded and deep pool of talent, and Detroit could have a big need at the spot if it dismisses Reggie Bush.

So why would the Lions wait until the fifth round? Because that's the way the board broke in my first mock draft of the year. There will be a run on running backs at some point in this draft, and if Mayhew has to reach for the next guy instead of snagging the one he wants, what's the point?

In this scenario, Karlos Williams is the one who falls into Detroit's lap at the nexus of talent and value.

"

I’ve always had the faint feeling that Karlos Williams will be a better NFL running back than he ever was at Florida State

— Michael Schottey (@Schottey) February 21, 2015"

There are a couple knocks against Williams that caused him to fall this far. He was beaten out by a freshman in 2014. He finished the year with 689 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. And this pick will be contingent on the Lions having investigated some past allegations against Williams and clearing him from a character standpoint.

But this kid is an absolute freaky athlete, as Kyle Crabbs of NDT Scouting can attest:

"

In relation to absolute weight, Karlos Williams' 40 registered highest speed score (114.2) while Dee Hart scored lowest (71.2). "Par" = 100

— Kyle Crabbs (@NDTScouting) February 21, 2015"

His one-cut running style could be a huge advantage when offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi dials up the outside zone. And he can also be a weapon out of the backfield in the passing game, which is the new running game these days, as the New England Patriots proved in the Super Bowl.

Round 6 (184th Overall): WR Kenny Bell, Nebraska

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The best-kept secret of this year's draft class was leaked at the combine. It's unknown how many people are going to jump on the new information, and Kenny Bell could be gone much earlier than this, but he isn't being properly valued on most boards.

Time will tell with Bell. Front offices will eventually kick themselves for letting him slip this far, because he let everyone in Indianapolis know that he has a pro-ready skill set, as Sigmund Bloom explained:

"

Lots will be going back to watch @MattWaldman favorite Kenny Bell after 4.4 40--41.5"--vert 10'9" broad jump. And they'll like what they see

— Sigmund Bloom (@SigmundBloom) February 21, 2015"

Bell was a menace at Nebraska. He averaged over 49 catches the last three seasons and had 21 career receiving scores to go along with plenty of highlight catches. His tape will speak for itself.

But now it can be combined with the raw numbers of the combine to paint a more complete picture of this prospect.

Event	Time	WR Rank
40-yard Dash	4.42 seconds	t-7th
Vertical Jump	41.5 inches	3rd
Broad Jump	129 inches	4th

If people keep sleeping on Bell, it's because Bell doesn't have the quickness out of cuts that teams covet. This is probably the least likely pick in this mock, because Bell's stock should continue to improve. However, it's a reality today that could be realized in early May.

Round 7 (215th Overall): OT Tyrus Thompson, Oklahoma

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Baylor linebacker Bryce Hager occupied this spot until he crushed the combine. So with Hager surely off the board, Detroit will go looking for another talented player to fill this spot. 

Tyrus Thompson is one of the few who could be available here with comparable football ability. His measurables (6'5", 336 lbs) and athleticism mean he could thrive in an offensive scheme that demands movement from its linemen.

How great does all of that sound? How could this guy possibly slide all the way to the seventh round? Let's turn to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com for the answer:

"

Thompson has NFL size and flashes NFL potential, but he doesn't play with the consistency or effort that NFL scouts want to see from him. There will be teams that drop his grade due to football character, but tackles that have traits and upside usually get drafted earlier than their draft grades call for.

"

There are a couple of ways you can go with your late-round fliers. You can grab the flawed guy with all of the tools and hope he fulfills his physical potential. Or you can turn to the player who eats, sleeps and breathes football but doesn't have the raw numbers to support his desire.

The NFL is a cold business that boils down to wins. Thompson, if he can get his head on straight, can help a team win—and that's the bottom line.

All combine statistics are courtesy of NFL.com. 

Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist who has written about the Lions on multiple sites. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter about how wrong he is @BrandonAlisoglu.