Detroit Lions Mock Draft: Final 7-Round Mock Before the Actual Draft

In a matter of days the 2012 NFL Draft will get underway from New York City, and teams are busy putting the finishing touches on their big boards and reviewing their draft strategies

The draft is the most anticipated event of the NFL offseason. Fans are are on the edge of their seats, waiting to see what their favorite teams will do.

Mock drafts are a fun and thought-provoking way to prognosticate.

Let's be honest, though. Whether you are Mel Kiper or Mel Turpin, mock drafts are little more than educated guesses. The reason for this? NFL teams don't give away their plans (unless you are the Colts or the Redskins).

Detroit Lions GM Martin Mayhew is particularly secretive. There are endless directions he could go in the draft.

Here are my best, semi-educated guesses. Here is my final seven-round mock for 2012.

Round 1, Pick 23: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

I will likely get taken to task for this prediction, but so be it. I don't think it's as unlikely as most people say it is. Here is why.

1. Martin Mayhew has described his draft strategy—time and time again—as "draft best player available."

2. Jenkins is a top-20 talent, and the second-best cover corner in the draft who will be available when the Lions pick in Round 1. Other first-round corners—Stephon Gilmore and Dre Kirkpatrick—will probably be gone.

3. In this article from NBC.com, Mayhew says the Lions will not shy away from players who have used marijuana.

4. Cornerback is hands-down the Lions greatest need.

5. The Lions are returning 21 of 22 starters from last year. The only one they lost was cornerback Eric Wright. Why not replace him in the first round?

6. The Lions are a different team than they were 10 years ago. Call me crazy, but I'm not worried about a player like this anymore. If he crashes and burns, I don't think he'll take the rest of the locker room with him. The coaches and the team leaders are too strong.

There's my opinion. Let the slings and arrows fly.

Round 2, Pick 54: Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall

As Todd McShay says in this article, this year's defensive end class is particularly deep. Translation: seven other players could be selected ahead of Curry.

The Lions would gain from other teams sleeping on Curry. Especially with the contract holdout of Cliff Avril. No one knows how that is going to end. In fact, the Lions could trade Avril in a draft-day deal to garner additional draft picks.

If that scenario plays out, selecting a defensive end early to develop and potentially replace Avril is key.

Even if that does not happen, the Lions run a defensive line-dominated scheme and they're always looking for talented pass rushers.

Curry is just that. He might lack the natural ability of those ends picked before him, but he has the intangibles they don't have. Here is ESPN's rave review:

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"Team captain. One of the hardest workers in the entire 2012 draft class. Passionate about the game. Is mentally and physically tough. Motor almost always running on red."

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His skills aren't too shabby either.

Round 3, Pick 85: Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati

I was hesitant to predict a running back this early in the draft. Then I recalled who the Lions will rely on to carry the bulk of the load in the rushing game this season.

Mikel Leshoure is unproven and one year removed from a season-ending Achilles injury. Jahvid Best is one hard hit away from retirement.

With that said, adding a running back in the middle rounds is paramount. Given the weak crop of rushers this year, sooner is better than later.

Pead is a rusher in the mold of Best. He's a change-of-pace rusher who lacks the size to be an every-down back, but he has top-level speed and open field elusiveness.

Sound familiar?

The fact that he is a wet noodle as a pass blocker is irrelevant. The Lions wouldn't ask it of him. Pead would be an insurance policy and a development project.

In fact, the best-case scenario would be that Pead rides the pine all season. That would mean that Best and Leshoure stayed healthy and he would have time to get stronger and adjust to the NFL game.

Round 4, Pick 117: Brandon Mosley, OT, Auburn

If cornerback is the Detroit Lions biggest need, then upgrading the offensive line might be a close second. Which is why many people will say the fourth-round is too long to wait.

I disagree. The Lions don't need someone who is ready to start today. They need someone who can gradually take a over a spot on the line in the next one or two years.

CBSsports.com's overview of Brandon Mosley makes one thing clear: He is a raw talent that will take some time to develop. He also struggled in his brief role as Auburn's starting left tackle.

The good thing is that he has great upside. As a former tight end and linebacker, he has the athleticism to make up for a lack of natural talent. With the Lions he will also have time to develop his technique.

Part of his development could be taking over right tackle from pending free-agent Gosder Cherilus.

The Lions might like this analysis, from ESPN.com, the best:

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"Plays with an edge. Blocks through the whistle and flashes the ability to flat-back linebackers. Doesn't back down and not afraid to mix it up with defenders that try to intimidate him."

"

He sounds like he'll fit in.

Round 5, Pick 158: Terrell Manning, LB, North Carolina State

The Detroit Lions have three very good linebackers on their roster—Stephen Tolloch, DeAndre Levy and Justin Durant. Once you get past those starters the talent drops off significantly.

For that reason, addressing depth at the position is important.

In the fifth-round, linebacking prospects are thin. Terrell Manning is a player with clear deficiencies in his game. Every player on the board in the fifth-round does.

According to ESPN.com, he has difficulty shaking blockers, he misses tackles and he has a weak lower half.

He also has the potential to get better. He's athletic enough to cover tight ends, he has natural pass-rushing skills and he has the frame capable of bulking up.

Manning will never be a Pro Bowl player in the NFL, but he is someone that fits a need for Detroit, has talent and upside. 

In the fifth round that's all you can ask for. 

Round 7, Pick 219: Keshawn Martin, WR, Michigan State

Like linebacker, the Detroit Lions lack depth at wide receiver beyond their starters Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson and Titus Young.

Keshawn Martin might not immediately address that issue, but he would be a steal in the seventh round nonetheless. According to ESPN.com, he has exceptional separation skills and big-play ability.

He's not as polished a receiver as some of the other comparable prospects, but that's OK. The Lions won't need him to be.

His 4.4 speed and elusiveness will serve him well in the return game, where the Lions need him the most. Stephan Logan is the current return specialist, but he failed to make an impact last season.

Martin should challenge Logan for the job and might even be an upgrade.

Round 7, Pick 230: Austin Davis, QB, Southern Miss

If all things go as planned, the Lions will not be looking for a starting quarterback for a long time. Matthew Stafford proved that he is an elite player in 2011.

That doesn't mean the Lions don't need a backup. Shaun Hill is not enough. Detroit needs three quarterbacks on their roster.

Drew Stanton left to pursue more playing time, and they need to replace him. They won't be able to get someone as reliable as Stanton in the seventh round, but let's not forget, it took Stanton several years to reach that level.

Austin Davis was overlooked coming out of high school yet started all four years at Southern Miss because of his leadership, intelligence and poise.

He has talent, but he will never be a starter in the NFL. Can he be an effective backup? Only time will tell. As for now, he will work hard, get better and be a solid locker room presence.

That's all the Lions need him to do—for now.