Detroit Lions Mock Draft: Updated Day 2 Predictions
I promised Thursday that I wouldn't do another Detroit Lions mock draft. You didn't actually believe me, did you?
And besides, new news tweaked the whole back end of the draft.
Obviously, no leaks are concrete, and new "information" comes to light every half-hour as teams attempt to muddy the waters for their benefit. But there's a lot of sense in this particular speculation, meaning it can't be ignored for mock-draft purposes.
Plus, the addition of Duke guard Laken Tomlinson and the trade for Manny Ramirez means Detroit has addressed two huge needs. And now only one pick remains the same from the predraft mock.
Intrigued? I thought so. Click through to find out how I see things shaking out.
Round 2
1 of 5
Pick 54: Grady Jarrett, DT, Clemson
Detroit should stick to the south for its second-round lineman, albeit on the defensive side this time.
Grady Jarrett is precisely the type of defensive tackle that the Lions typically target. He moves with outstanding quickness and speed for a 304-pound man, and he'd love the one-gap attacking scheme that defensive coordinator Teryl Austin employs.
"Grady Jarrett should be a top-40 pick, I don't know why he isn't. Explosive, up-field penetrator. Huge asset in current NFL.
— Ian Kenyon (@IanKenyonNFL) April 30, 2015"
The Lions would round out their interior defensive line rotation with Jarrett. If they use him to spell Tyrunn Walker or put those two next to each other on obvious passing down, opposing guards will be gasping for air by the third quarter.
Michael Bennett, the defensive tackle from Ohio State, and Utah defensive back Eric Rowe are also possibilities at this spot.
Round 3
2 of 5
Pick 88: Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State
There was never any danger of the Lions taking a first-round receiver and screwing up this third-round projection. The top dogs (Amari Cooper, Kevin White, etc.) weren't going to fall to 23, so a wideout would have been too far of a reach for Thursday night.
However, if Tyler Lockett is still there in the third round, it's hard to imagine general manager Martin Mayhew finding someone else higher on his board.
Lockett can fill multiple roles on this team. He's an immediate upgrade over Corey Fuller or Jeremy Ross as the third receiver and should unseat the latter as the return man too.
He has the speed (4.4-second 40-yard dash) to more than offset his 5'10" frame and is an excellent route-runner who creates separation with his quickness. Plus, his college production hammers home how reliable he was in college:
"Non-Mariota tweet: WR who hasn't been linked much to Eagles is Kansas St's Tyler Lockett: 187-2777-22 last 2 yrs, thought to be #culture guy
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) April 27, 2015"
Lockett leaves little to quibble about once you consider his impeccable character and blocking ability. He needs to be the pick if he's there in the third.
Round 5
3 of 5
Pick 143: Jamil Douglas, OG, Arizona State
Manny Ramirez gives Detroit a bit of depth and lessens the need for Detroit to grab offensive linemen in this draft. However, he is 32 years old with only one year remaining on his contract. If Detroit wants to avoid this situation next season, it might need to pay some attention to the future of the position.
Jamil Douglas is a developmental prospect with great athleticism. Ramirez could help Douglas develop into the depth player Detroit needs, and the extra year will give the rookie time to add some weight to his 6'4", 304-pound frame.
Pick 168: Akeem Hunt, RB, Purdue
I suppose you've waited long enough:
"I mentioned Akeem Hunt potential to DET on @espn961 today. Got two affirmative texts that it's possible. Rabbits out of hats, people...
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) April 30, 2015"
Jeff Risdon is a Lions Insider for ESPN Radio, so the information carries some weight. Yet, it could be another mid-draft smoke bomb thrown to shroud a team's true intentions and movement.
With that said, Hunt would be a great fit for Detroit based on his pro day. Gil Brandt of NFL.com has the full breakdown here:
"Running back Akeem Hunt (5-9 3/4, 189) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.40 and 4.36 seconds. He had a 37-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-2 broad jump. He did the 20-yard short shuttle in 4.11 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.71 seconds. He performed 14 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Hunt really was impressive in the positional workout, looking outstanding catching the ball coming out of the backfield. Based on this workout, Hunt will be a draft choice, most likely in the late rounds.
"
The Lions need a game-breaker whom opponents have to respect both on the ground and in the air. Hunt averaged 5.5 yards per carry and recorded 48 catches on the season. This would be a high-value pick for a team that lacks consistent backfield explosiveness.
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Round 6
4 of 5
Pick 200: Jalston Fowler, FB, Alabama
I haven't written a mock draft that hasn't included Jalston Fowler in months. Once I watched the tape of the man (he's definitely not a kid, regardless of his age), there was no turning back from the Alabama fullback.
I'm not alone in that assessment:
"Jalston Fowler is still one of my favorite players to watch. Can do it all.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 7, 2015"
Fowler has proved to be a tough running back capable of finding linebackers and removing them from the play. Plus, he uses his 254 pounds well when running the ball, averaging 5.8 yards per carry along with 11.7 per reception.
He should be available in the sixth round since fullbacks traditionally don't go too high. Fowler is a solid player though, and his ability to be a tremendous special teamer will only raise his value.
Round 7
5 of 5
Pick 240: Marcus Rush, DE/OLB, Michigan State
Originally, Tray Walker was the pick here. The big cornerback made sense because he fit the scheme and needed some coaching up, something he could find in Detroit.
But his name is getting so hot that relying on him to last this long is imprudent. And with Akeem Hunt knocking the Max Valles project off the table, the Lions have yet to grab that developmental front-seven defender.
In this scenario, it's Marcus Rush, and it's a nice flier to take in the seventh round. Fellow Bleacher Reporter Justis Mosqueda appears to think Rush would even be a good Day 2 pick:
"Marcus Rush RT @Jeff_LJ_Lloyd: Who'd you rather Shane Ray or Eli Harold?
— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) April 11, 2015"
Rush put up solid numbers at his pro day (4.68 40 and 24 bench reps, per CBSSports.com), and he has enough on tape to make him a draftable commodity. He's a relentless player with a full quiver of pass-rushing moves. The Lions could do much worse in the seventh round.
All combine statistics are sourced from 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.
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