Detroit Lions Mock Draft: 2012 1st-Round Odds

The Detroit Lions finally made it back to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, so what do they do for an encore? GM Martin Mayhew has had a great run as general manager, but making the most of the number 23 pick is crucial to advancing the Lions past the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Who will they take?

20 percent - Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois - Although the position appears to be a strength at the moment, the Lions' long-term picture at defensive end is very cloudy. Mercilus would have to be a strong consideration if he gets through the teams that may covet him between 17 and 21.

20 percent - Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC - Perry is athletic enough to convert to a 3-4 OLB, but big enough to fit as a 4-3 DE. The Lions would consider him if Mercilus is gone, and perhaps even if he isn't.

10 percent - Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama - I have little doubt that Kirkpatrick would be the number one player on this list in terms of desire, but I do strongly doubt he'll make it to number 23. Still, the 100 percent certainty that the Lions would take him keeps Kirkpatrick somewhat high on this list.

10 percent - Trade Up - Since Kirkpatrick is a perfect storm of need, talent and playing style, Mayhew should be emboldened to trade up for him if there is a taker that isn't asking an arm and a leg from about the 15th pick onward. He traded back into the first for Jahvid Best in 2010, so we can't rule this out.

10 percent - Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse - Jones is a hot name right now, and he would be a very formidable addition to a strong defensive line. What he lacks in quick-twitch edge rush, he makes up for in length and strength, so he could be the pick.

10 percent - Amini Silatolu, OL, Midwestern State - Offensive line is a need for the Lions, but Mayhew hasn't shown a big tendency to let need dictate early picks. Silatolu's combative style and potential to play guard or tackle makes him the top offensive line candidate.

5 percent - Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin - The Lions starting interior offensive linemen are all 30 or over and Konz could play any of those three spots. He doesn't have the upside of others on this list, although he has a much higher floor. It doesn't feel like a Mayhew pick, but it would be a good one.

2.5 percent - Quinton Coples, DE, UNC - He's perhaps the only player on this list that they would take over Dre Kirkpatrick, but I just have a hard time seeing the Bengals pass on Coples twice, although he could be a trade-up target.

2.5 percent - Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia - Glenn is more proven than Silatolu, but he lacks the mean streak. He might be higher on most boards, but I don't know that he would be higher on the Lions' board.

2.5 percent - Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama - Even with the marijuana arrest problems in the past few months, the Lions might be compelled to take Jenkins. His coverage abilities are unquestioned, so Mayhew could still take him and endure the storm of negative publicity that would surely follow the pick.

2.5 percent - Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College - Kuechly could fall this far even though it seems unlikely because he is such a sure thing. The Lions have three good linebackers, but Mayhew won't pass on a best player available like Kuechly if he's there and Kirkpatrick isn't.

2.5 percent - Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford - Martin could push Gosder Cherilus at right tackle early in his career and be a long-term replacement for Jeff Backus at left tackle, but he just doesn't seem like the kind of prospect that will be appealing to Mayhew. 

2.5 percent - Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida - Robinson's physical gifts make him a dark horse to be the pick at 23 if there is a run on cornerbacks early in the first round.