Detroit Lions Mock Draft: Updated Day 3 Predictions

The Detroit Lions didn't mess around when it came to needs in this draft, leaving us poor souls who are mock drafting Day 3 to wonder which route they'll go. And, of course, since general manager Martin Mayhew is involved, you can't rule anything out:

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Something to ponder, Lions may use one of the 2016 pick to trade up into 4th round to draft a DT.

— BeastMode (@BeastFBall) May 2, 2015"

That option is definitely on the table since defensive tackles Michael Bennett and Grady Jarrett are still looking for gigs. But we can't concern ourselves with that here.

Instead, there are plenty of players on the board who have been pushed down with all of the emphasis on offense thus far. Their loss could become Detroit's gain.

So what's left for the final day of the 2015 NFL draft? Click through to find out.

Round 5

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168. Marcus Hardison, DT/DE, Arizona State

The defensive tackles that Detroit generally employs are falling rapidly, but that slide isn't likely to continue to the fifth round. But that doesn't mean there won't be any decent options left after Grady Jarrett and Michael Bennett.

One such player could be defensive tackle/end Marcus Hardison from Arizona State.

He's a penetrating defensive lineman that gets off the ball quickly. FOX analyst Charles Davis breaks him down succinctly here:

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Marcus Hardison, DE Ariz St. Physical, w/agility to redirect on the run. Plays w/strong hands, effort vs run/pass. Can be sudden, good tech

— Charles Davis (@CFD22) April 21, 2015"

Hardison would be a versatile piece for defensive coordinator Teryl Austin to move around up front on passing downs. He might be able take over Jason Jones' spot next year if he learns to anchor better but would help immediately to round out the defensive tackle rotation considering his 6'3", 307-pound frame and unnatural quickness.

Round 6

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200. Jalston Fowler, FB, Alabama

We've come this far together sticking with Fowler in the sixth round, I can't think of a single reason to alter course now.

The Lions spent a first-round pick to grab a guard who should immediately give the Lions' running game a boost. Larry Warford and Laken Tomlinson both love to fire off the ball, and offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn told John Niyo of The Detroit News that the Lions aren't going to let that go to waste:

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And whereas last year's unit got caught flat-footed in a new blocking scheme that was probably too complicated, this year the offensive line coach, Jeremiah Washburn, already was promising a much simpler solution.

"Coach Wash, first thing he said was, 'We're coming off the ball,'" Warford said.

And "at the end of the day," he continued, "you have to whoop somebody's (butt.)"

"

That's the perfect philosophy for those guards and this pick. Fowler is a natural fullback. He loves to explode into linebackers. He'd be a great schematic fit who can also catch the ball out of the backfield.

General manager Martin Mayhew has already made a heavy investment in the ground game. He shouldn't hedge that bet but raise the odds of success by grabbing Fowler late.

Round 7

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240. Marcus Rush, DE/OLB, Michigan State

Another familiar name rounds out the last slide of the final 2015 mock draft. 

Marcus Rush was an underrated contributor to Michigan State's ascension to college football royalty. Throughout his four-year career, the Spartan racked up 37.5 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks.

And others are finally starting to notice his potential:

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Per league source, at their local pro day #Bengals were most impressed by Cincy edge-rusher Terrell Hartsfield & MSU edge-rusher Marcus Rush

— Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso) April 15, 2015"

With this pick, Teryl Austin would get another player he can move around the front seven like Darryl Tapp. Rush is definitely worth a seventh-rounder, and he'll reward whatever smart team shows him some love with a non-stop pass rush and special teams contributions.

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.