2011 NFL Mock Draft: Which OT Do Detroit Lions Like to Protect Matthew Stafford?

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Detroit Lions Tab Best Pass Blocking Tackle In 2011 NFL Mock Draft

Kiper: Tyron Smith, OT, USC

McShay: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

Banks: Tyron Smith, OT, USC

Kirwan: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College

Rang: Tyron Smith, OT, USC

My take: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

Considering the problems protecting Matthew Stafford and the millions invested in the former number one overall pick, the Lions should have one main objective this offseason: upgrading the offensive line.

Tyron Smith continues to climb up the boards and should find himself in the top ten. As Don Banks noted earlier this month: "Smith in Indianapolis proved he was big enough (307 pounds) and strong enough (29 reps in the bench press) to vie for the distinction of being the draft's top-rated offensive tackle."

That leaves the Lions looking elsewhere.

Fortunately there is another remarkably athletic offensive tackle. Colorado's Nate Solder ran the only sub-five-second 40-yard dash and has the size and length to protect the blind side.

From a strength standpoint, he wasn't nearly as impressive at the combine as Castonzo or Gabe Carimi, but they aren't drafting him for power run blocking.

And just to be clear, they won't have a shot at Amukamara: he might slip by San Francisco or Dallas, but not beyond 10.

**For More Draft Coverage, Check Out Our 2011 NFL Draft Page**
1. Carolina Panthers: Da'Quan Bowers, DE 2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT 3. Buffalo Bills: Nick Fairley, DT 4. Cincinnati Bengals: Patrick Peterson, CB	17. New England Patiriots: Mike Pouncey, OG 18. San Diego Chagers: Ryan Kerrigan, DE 19. New York Giants: Gabe Carimi, OT 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cameron Jordan,DE
5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB 6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR 7. San Francisco 49ers: Robert Quinn, DE 8. Tennessee Titans: Tyron Smith, OT	21. Kansans City Chiefs: Akeem Ayers, OLB 22. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Castonzo, OT 23. Philadelphia Eagles: J.J. Watt, DE 24. New Orleans Saints: Cameron Heyward, DE
9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara, CB 10. Washington Redskins: Cam Newton, QB 11. Houston Texans: Von Miller, OLB 12. Minnesota Vikings: Jimmy Smith, CB	25. Seattle Seahawks: Stephen Paea, DT 26. Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Harris, CB 27. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Houston, OLB 28. New England Patriots: Adrian Clayborn, DE
13. Detroit Lions: Nate Solder, OT 14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, WR 15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram Jr., RB 16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aldon Smith, DE/OLB	29. Chicago Bears: Derek Sherrod, OT 30. New York Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE 31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Williams, CB 32. Green Bay Packers: Jabaal Sheard, DE