Detroit Lions' 7-Round Mock Draft and Top-100 Big Board

The Detroit Lions will enter the 2016 NFL draft with 10 picks. It's highly unlikely they leave with 10 rookies.

General manager Bob Quinn went to the Bill Belichick school of draft-day dealings. Bill Barnwell (formerly of Grantland) wrote a lengthy piece on the hoodie's draft-day tactics, specifically noting his tendency to move down, pick up extra draft picks and look past his team's weaknesses to build a better roster.

We have yet to see how Quinn will handle matters on his own, but he surely picked up a thing or two during his New England Patriots tenure.

Quinn's free-agency approach added a lot of beef to the middle of the roster and left some question marks at offensive tackle, strong safety and center. In fact, the Lions could stand to add some talent along both the offensive and defensive lines.

Quinn has also been adamant about finding special teams contributors in order to max out the efficiency of every roster spot. That strategy will likely leak over to the draft, especially in the mid-to-late rounds.

Top-100 Big Board

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

The following are the top 100 players Detroit will be expected to target in the first two days of the draft. This big board is based solely on the Lions' needs and schemes.

Thus, even if Carson Wentz is the best quarterback in this draft, he won't be an option for Bob Quinn in the first round. Yet the top three quarterbacks could all be options in the second round based on Quinn's stated belief in drafting quarterbacks.

Lastly, Myles Jack is a wild card right now. While he could be one of the best players in this draft, "several teams are out" on him, per Dane Brugler of CBS Sports, because of a lingering knee issue that could haunt his career. 

Detroit Lions' Big Board

Rank	Player	Position	School
1	Laremy Tunsil	OT	Ole Miss
2	Jalen Ramsey	DB	Florida St.
3	DeForest Buckner	DL	Oregon
4	Joey Bosa	DE	Ohio St.
5	Sheldon Rankins	DT	Louisville
6	Ezekiel Elliot	RB	Ohio St.
7	Andrew Billings	DT	Baylor
8	Ronnie Stanley	OT	Notre Dame
9	Taylor Decker	OT	Ohio St.
10	Shaq Lawson	DE	Clemson
11	Jarran Reed	DT	Alabama
12	Reggie Ragland	LB	Alabama
13	Darron Lee	LB	Ohio St.
14	Leonard Floyd	LB	Georgia
15	Michael Thomas	WR	Ohio St.
16	William Jackson III	CB	Houston
17	A'Shawn Robinson	DT	Alabama
18	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss
19	Nick Martin	OL	Notre Dame
20	Jason Spriggs	OT	Indiana
21	Kenny Clark	DT	UCLA
22	Corey Coleman	WR	Baylor
23	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan St.
24	Vernon Hargreaves	CB	Florida
25	Kevin Dodd	DE	Clemson
26	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
27	Germain Ifedi	OT	Texas A&M
28	Ryan Kelly	C	Alabama
29	Josh Doctson	WR	TCU
30	Vernon Butler	DT	Louisiana Tech
31	Cody Whitehair	OL	Kansas St.
32	Jonathan Bullard	DE	Florida
33	Connor Cook	QB	Michigan St.
34	Paxton Lynch	QB	Memphis
35	Carson Wentz	QB	North Dakota St.
36	Shilique Calhoun	DE	Michigan St.
37	Austin Johnson	DL	Penn St.
38	Chris Jones	DT	Mississippi St.
39	Darian Thompson	S	Boise St.
40	Braxton Miller	WR	Ohio St.
41	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio St.
42	Sterling Shepard	WR	Oklahoma
43	Emmanuel Ogbah	DE	Oklahoma St.
44	Hunter Henry	TE	Arkansas
45	Derrick Henry	RB	Alabama
46	Myles Jack	LB	UCLA
47	Joshua Perry	LB	Ohio St.
48	Jeremy Cash	SS	Duke
49	Hassan Ridgeway	DT	Texas
50	Willie Henry	DT	Michigan
51	Jared Goff	QB	Cal
52	Javon Hargrave	DT	South Carolina St.
53	Joshua Garnett	OL	Stanford
54	Kamalei Correa	DT	Boise St.
55	C.J. Prosise	RB	Notre Dame
56	Karl Joseph	SS	West Virginia
57	Jack Allen	C	Michigan St.
58	Matt Judon	DE	Grand Valley St.
59	Vonn Bell	SS	Ohio St.
60	Kenneth Dixon	RB	Louisiana Tech
61	Noah Spence	DE/LB	Eastern Kentucky
62	Su'a Cravens	LB	USC
63	Miles Killebrew	SS	Southern Utah
64	Shon Coleman	OT	Auburn
65	Carl Nassib	DE	Penn St.
66	Jordan Howard	RB	Indiana
67	Christian Westerman	OG	Arizona St.
68	Max Tuerk	C	USC
69	Nick Vannett	TE	Ohio St.
70	Robert Nkemdiche	DT	Ole Miss
71	Adolphus Washington	DT	Ohio St.
72	Artie Burns	CB	Miami
73	Pharoh Cooper	WR	South Carolina
74	Will Fuller	WR	Notre Dame
75	Devontae Booker	RB	Utah
76	Charles Tapper	DE	Oklahoma
77	Justin Zimmer	DT	Ferris St.
78	Cyrus Jones	CB	Alabama
79	Kenyan Drake	RB	Alabama
80	Jerald Hawkins	OT	LSU
81	Keanu Neal	SS	Florida
82	Leonte Carroo	WR	Rutgers
83	Le'Raven Clark	OT	Texas Tech
84	Tyler Boyd	WR	Pitt
85	Kentrell Brothers	LB	Missouri
86	Spencer Drango	OG	Baylor
87	Jerell Adams	TE	South Carolina
88	Charone Peake	WR	Clemson
89	Maurice Canady	CB	Virginia
90	Daniel Braverman	WR	Western Michigan
91	Maliek Collins	DT	Nebraska
92	Sean Davis	S	Maryland
93	Aaron Burbridge	WR	Michigan St.
94	Daryl Worley	CB	West Virginia
95	Avery Young	OT	Auburn
96	Kenny Lawler	WR	Cal
97	Tyler Matakevich	LB	Temple
98	Evan Boehm	C	Missouri
99	DeAndre Houston-Carson	S	William & Mary
100	Graham Glasgow	OG/C	Michigan

Round 1

L.G. Patterson/Associated Press

Round 1, Pick 16: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville

This pick could go a number of ways, especially after the big trade between the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans.

Jeff Risdon of SideLion Report recently opined that Ronnie Stanley could fall because of a run on quarterbacks. And if Stanley is there at 16, it's impossible to see the Lions going a different route.

Unfortunately, it's too difficult for me to take the leap with him. That lack of gumption, however, has a silver lining in the form of Sheldon Rankins.

The Louisville defensive tackle started soaring up draft boards because of his explosiveness and ability to fly through the gaps, which makes him a perfect fit for Teryl Austin's attacking defense. His addition would immediately elevate Detroit's defensive line from interesting to outstanding.

Rankins would also give the Lions some flexibility next offseason should Tyrunn Walker leave in free agency.

Round 2

L.G. Patterson/Associated Press

Round 2, Pick 46: Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame

Many people snickered when the Dallas Cowboys took a center in the first round two years ago. They aren't laughing now.

The center position's value stems from the complexity of the position. There are protection calls to be made and blitzers to be identified before the snap. And, of course, there's the matter of minding the A-gap, which is the shortest route to the quarterback and thus the most important.

Travis Swanson struggled on all accounts last year. Nick Martin would represent a definite upgrade in terms of physical ability, and he is highly regarded as an intelligent leader.

An NFC North scout told Lance Zierlein of NFL.com that Martin doesn't look as athletic as he did before a 2013 knee injury. That concern could be the catalyst for a fall to the middle of the second round, giving Detroit the mixer it needs to cement the offensive line.

Round 3

L.G. Patterson/Associated Press

Round 3, Pick 95: Miles Killebrew, SS, Southern Utah

The Lions added two possible starting safeties in Tavon Wilson and Rafael Bush. Yet neither is a lock to secure and succeed in a starting role, and this leaves the door open for Miles Killebrew.

The Southern Utah product stands 6'2" and packs 217 pounds onto his strong frame. His excellent size and tackling ability would make him a great addition near the end of the third round.

And while Killebrew also has enough speed to contribute in coverage, his main duty would be shutting down the run.

Killebrew would likely be used along with four other defensive backs. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin would be able to line him up closer to the box and cash in on his run-stuffing prowess without exposing him to quicker outside receiving threats.

Round 4

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Round 4, Pick 111: Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State

A Grady Jarrett-like fall for Adolphus Washington isn't out of the question. And if he's available in the fourth or fifth round, the Lions shouldn't hesitate to add another piece to their defensive line interior.

Detroit's scheme could exploit Washington's speed off the line. His solid repertoire of pass-rushing moves and ability to react quickly will cushion the blow when he doesn't cash in on his quick first step.

Detroit brought back both of last year's starting defensive tackles. They also signed Stefan Charles, have Caraun Reid and Gabe Wright, and already drafted Sheldon Rankins in this scenario.

Yet Washington would still be an excellent late-rotational pass-rusher for a team with plenty of youth in the secondary. This is an occasion where Quinn should select the talented playmaker and figure out how to make it work afterward.

Round 5

Darron Cummings/Associated Press/Associated Press

DeAndre Houston-Carson

Round 5, Pick 151: Jerell Adams, TE, South Carolina

Detroit hasn't reached a medical release agreement with Brandon Pettigrew, but the Lions also haven't cut Stephen Tulloch. Both moves are still incredibly likely.

That makes tight end a need.

Jerell Adams won't be able to handle all of Pettigrew's blocking responsibilities immediately. He's an eager participant, just not an overpowering one at this time, although he's stronger than he looks.

He will, however, present another vertical threat up the seam with his 4.64 40-yard dash, per NFL.com.

Round 5, Pick 169: DeAndre Houston-Carson, DB, William & Mary

The selection of Miles Killebrew a couple of rounds earlier dramatically reduces the need for this pick, and the offseason signings have created a crowded secondary.

However, DeAndre Houston-Carson presents the type of value that Bob Quinn can't afford to overlook.

Houston-Carson is an adept tackler and proven playmaker with seven interceptions over the past two years. He'll make his bones on special teams at first while competing for reserve duties. He'd also fit in quite nicely with the "big secondary" look of using three safeties.

Round 6

Darron Cummings/Associated Press/Associated Press

Nick Kwiatkoski

Round 6, Pick 191: Cody Core, WR, Ole Miss

The Lions' current crop of receivers doesn't have a lot of tall depth. Cody Core would remedy that.

Core is 6'3" and uses his body well when battling defensive backs. His main contribution on offense would likely be confined to the red zone until he proves he can create space on his own.

Plus, like many of Detroit's free-agent acquisitions, Core can play special teams, which gives him two roles to fill. Quinn is all about efficiency with his limited roster spots.

Round 6, Pick 202: Nick Kwiatkoski, LB, West Virginia

Nick Kwiatkoski isn't going to jump off the screen with athleticism. While he did record the fifth-fastest 20-yard shuttle among linebackers, per NFL.com, that's simply not his game.

Instead, the former Mountaineer made his living in the weight room. His renowned work ethic is matched by an unquenchable thirst for contact, resulting in 275 tackles over the last three years.

Kwiatkoski won't push for anything beyond a reserve role while contributing heavily on special teams.

Round 6, Pick 210: Kyle Murphy, OT, Stanford

The Lions continue their recent trend of selecting a late-round or undrafted free-agent offensive tackle in the hopes that one pans out.

The 6'6", 305-pound Kyle Murphy can play with power in the run game. So long as Detroit opts to steer clear of the zone-blocking scheme former offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi favored, Murphy will have a chance due to his ability to get low and keep driving.

He would fight with Corey Robinson for a developmental role.

Round 7

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Round 7, Pick 236: Lawrence Thomas, DE, Michigan State

The last pick will help round out the defensive end rotation that is sorely lacking in depth.

Unfortunately, Lawrence Thomas won't fill the reserve pass-rushing specialist that the Lions desperately need. He will, however, be a nice addition to the run defense.

Thomas will be able to use his 286 pounds to set the edge on early rushing downs. His quarterback pressures will be few and far between, and they'll like come as a result of unmatched effort.

He'll also be able to kick inside when needed and provide the versatility that Quinn values.