Detroit Lions seven-round mock draft: Let’s make a deal

With the NFL Draft still set to begin in less than two weeks, and with free agency’s initial push in the rear view, it’s time to get back into mock draft territory.

More specifically: It’s time to look at what the Lions might be facing if they can pull off a trade with the No. 3 overall pick. As was the case a month ago, we used The Draft Network’s mock simulator to narrow down selections at each pick.

We also tried to stick to the same time constraints teams will have when they’re on the clock. Let’s get into it.

Round 1

Nick Baumgardner: OK, so we’ve gotten off a mock Zoom call with the mock version of Tom Telesco and have agreed to move the No. 3 pick in 2020 to the Chargers for No. 6 and No. 37 in this year’s draft, plus a 2021 pick. In this mock, Joe Burrow, Chase Young, Tua Tagovailoa, Isaiah Simmons and Tristan Wirfs went 1-5.

But before we get into whether we’re taking Jeff Okudah here, let’s discuss these trade scenarios. How realistic do we believe a scenario like this is at this point?

Chris Burke: It feels like the most realistic scenario if Chase Young is gone, honestly. Just a matter of whether Miami or Los Angeles is coming up for that pick. This isn’t the massive haul Bob Quinn would prefer to get if he drops down, but having another top-40 crack in this draft is huge (on top of the extra 2021 selection).

Baumgardner: Right, it’s still possible the Lions could entertain moving out of the top 10 for an additional first-rounder. But if Detroit wants Okudah, this is probably about as far down as you can go. This would give the Lions five picks inside the top 85. That’s still pretty darn good and should be enough for this front office to make a serious upgrade to the overall talent level of this roster. An impact we should be able to see on the field sooner or later.

Burke: Yeah, there’s not much of a choice to make here if they believe Okudah will be there at 6. Would you rather have a video game or that same video game plus $20?

So that puts Detroit on the clock at 6. Start the timer.

Baumgardner: With Simmons and Wirfs gone, it seems like Okudah is the obvious move, unless they Lions have fallen in love with Derrick Brown. I like Brown, but I think Okudah is the second-best defensive prospect in this draft in terms of pure ability at his position.

His football IQ is impressive enough to, perhaps, cut down on the adjustment process — as most corners need a minute in the NFL. If the Lions had to take Okudah at 3 without a trade, I wouldn’t hate it.

Burke: I like Brown too, and I actually think he’ll be a better pass rusher in the NFL than a lot of the scouting reports on him say. But even just by upside, it should be Okudah — he’s got a chance to be one of the top 10 cornerbacks in the game a couple years from now. I’m not sure the Derrick Brown bar is that high. As we’ve been saying for months now, Okudah is such a perfect fit for what Matt Patricia wants in his cornerbacks.

But … we’ve got about six minutes left on the clock here. Do we need to talk more about Brown, one of the offensive tackles or (gulp) a receiver?

Baumgardner: Wirfs and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills have held my interest for months. Wirfs is built like a pro wrestler and the Lions love everything about Iowa’s program. Wills is a super powerful and smart tackle who should be a very good pro. They’re both premium players in this draft and, as we know, the Lions value tackles. I wouldn’t rule it out, depending on the scenario. Halapoulivaati Vaitai could be moved inside to play next to one of these guys. That’s possible.

If they moved down out of the top 10 … you mentioned the receivers. Thoughts?

Burke: Also worth pointing out here that Taylor Decker, at the moment, only has the fifth-year contract option left on his deal. I’m assuming he’ll get an extension at some point this offseason but his future needs to be part of the internal conversation. Wirfs is gone here, obviously. Wills played right tackle for Alabama but — at least for most of last year — that was Tua’s blindside, so he might be easier to project to the left.

I doubt it’s a receiver this high. It’s also hard to watch a guy like CeeDee Lamb and not imagine him putting up, like, 1,500 yards with Matthew Stafford.

Baumgardner: Agreed. And, selfishly, I wouldn’t hate watching Henry Ruggs run live for a few years. What a talent. But for today, it looks like we’re taking Okudah — and hoping to have a lockdown corner penciled into our mock lineup here sooner than later.

Pick: No. 6 overall, Jeff Okudah (CB, Ohio State).

Round 2

Baumgardner: With two picks here now (35 and 37), we’ve got more options than we did before the draft started. So instead of choosing between a defensive tackle or an edge prospect, perhaps we can take both. We could also experiment with a wide receiver up here. Possibly a defensive hybrid. So while we’ve noted that this trade doesn’t bring in a massive haul on paper, you can see how three players in the top 37 of a draft like this can be so valuable.

Burke: I don’t know about you given our social-distancing war room, but I’m staring straight at A.J. Epenesa’s name …

Baumgardner: If a rangy edge-setter from Iowa is on the board at 35 and we’re pretending to be Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia, do we even have a choice?

Burke: Auburn DT Marlon Davidson is also there — that’s a guy we talked about before sitting down to do this as being a nice fit for the Lions. (And he played in the Senior Bowl.)

Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson could be an option for the Lions in the second round. (Andy Altenburger / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Baumgardner: I like the idea of trying to get an interior defensive line presence and an edge prospect in the second. I think on the inside, it’d either be Davidson or TCU’s Ross Blacklock here. Both are powerful guys who have been applauded for their work ethic, leadership and dedication to football. And if Epenesa is there at either of these picks, the Lions could be intrigued.

Burke: Davidson is the more disruptive of the two, if we’re talking he or Blacklock. If the Lions want to bulk up inside — and they probably have to at some point — I’d guess they’d lean toward those guys over Epenesa. But Epenesa gives off a lot of Trey Flowers vibes to me, in terms of how they’d use him and where he’d be effective within this defense.

Baumgardner: Agreed. I vote Davidson. Nice player. Has all the traits the Lions want.

Pick: No. 35 overall, Marlon Davidson (DT, Auburn). 

Burke: Epenesa’s still there, two picks later. Among the other options available: J.K. Dobbins, Jonathan Taylor, Patrick Queen, Antoine Winfield, Ezra Cleveland, several safeties and, like, 931 wide receivers. (Starts clock.) 

Could go either way here: Do you load up on defense with three top-40 picks or use this extra early Round 2 spot to get a playmaker?

Baumgardner: If we’re going to go get a playmaker, I think this is where we do it.

Burke: Talk me out of Dobbins or Clyde Edwards-Helaire. I know those picks wouldn’t alleviate the receiver issue possibly coming in 2021, but it would take a load off Kerryon Johnson’s plate.

Baumgardner: I’m having a really tough time saying no to Dobbins here due to everything he’s capable of doing in any setting. He’s a first-round talent all the way, I think. He can be a three-down back in the NFL. He can run inside and outside. He’s a difference-maker. I don’t know if I can talk you out of Dobbins here. He might be too good to pass on. And this is why the draft gets difficult.

Burke: He’s the best back in this draft, for my money. But, not to launch a philosophical discussion with three minutes left on the clock, how much do you value a running back relative to other areas of need? They just traded up and spent a Day 2 pick on Johnson two years ago.

Baumgardner: Right. Which is why my gut is telling me to be disciplined and take another defender here, maybe an edge prospect. Same time, if we’re talking about the best player at 37 — it’s Dobbins.

Burke: Which defender would you lobby for here? Is it still Epenesa or is that overload on top of Davidson? Jeremy Chinn, Kyle Dugger, Antoine Winfield are all there. Willie Gay is there.

Baumgardner: I’m having a hard time looking away from Jeremy Chinn, the second-round version (possibly) of Isaiah Simmons. Though if you’d prefer Kyle Dugger, another back end hybrid, I wouldn’t fight you.

Burke: Do you see the need for a Simmons-esque player after the Lions signed Jamie Collins and traded for Duron Harmon? Presumably, those guys will be eating up a lot of the space that would’ve been reserved for Simmons. (One minute left.)

Baumgardner: You could make the argument that the Lions need as many athletic players with coverage skills in the middle and back end as they can fit in their facility. Same time, you’re right, Collins and Harmon are both going to factor in here. I’m going to roll the dice and vote Dobbins here.

Give the people some excitement! Unless you’re going to drag me (kicking and screaming) back to reality?

Burke: Man, you’ve kind of convinced me to take Chinn!

Baumgardner: So we’re down to Chinn or Dobbins. I think the Lions could find room for Chinn. I think Darrell Bevell would have a lot of fun with Dobbins.

Burke: How much better does this defense look if you drop Okudah, Davidson and Chinn onto the depth chart before the 40th pick?

But this is also an offense that wants to run the ball and get its backs involved in the passing attack, so … ugh … did the NFL approve timeouts for this draft? I need a timeout.

Baumgardner: We’ve reached that point in every mock draft when NFL personnel people start cackling at us …

Burke: I’m coming back to where you started. The idea is to get the best player available as much as your roster allows it, right? They’re not in desperate need of a safety and Dobbins is the best player available.

Baumgardner: Agreed. And we leave the top 40 with the best corner in the draft, one of the best interior tackles and, perhaps, the best running back in the draft. I’ll take it.

Pick: No. 37 overall, J.K. Dobbins (RB, Ohio State).

Round 3

Burke: On to No. 67. Players still available: WR Michael Pittman, OT Lucas Niang, OC Matt Hennessy, TE Cole Kmet, Edge Julian Okwara, TE Adam Trautman, QB Jalen Hurts, etc.

Actually having Trautman on the board here would be … interesting. If the eventual goal is to create some version of the Gronk-Aaron Hernandez pairing for this offense, they’re still missing at least one of those pieces.

Baumgardner: Very true. Trautman would be the guy if they’re going to go forward with something like that. How do we feel about the edge prospects around here?

Burke: Bradlee Anae from Utah is tucked a little further down The Draft Network rankings, but I’m guessing this is where they’d have to take him. He’s stood out as an extremely natural fit, especially since he’s a guy they had at the Senior Bowl and they haven’t really replaced Devon Kennard yet. Okwara is intriguing, too.

Baumgardner: Anae was the name that was jumping up the most for me here. He’s an aggressive, effective pass rusher. He was incredibly tough to handle on the edge in the Senior Bowl, he has some power to his game. My only hangup with him is what happens when he’s asked to drop and cover. Probably the area where he needs the most work, but he’s probably a better prospect than Okwara.

This is also where we’d probably have to have the conversation about Michigan’s Josh Uche — though for our purposes here, he went off the board at 63.

The Lions got an up-close look at Utah edge prospect Bradlee Anae during the Senior Bowl. (Chuck Cook / USA Today)

Burke: Maybe I’m oversimplifying, but to me this pick sets up as sort of a complement to Round 2. If they go edge in the top 40, they go interior here. We went with Davidson, who’s probably going to be an inside-out guy, so they should look at edge now.

Baumgardner: Agreed. We took the playmaker with Dobbins, now we’re back to need. They need an edge here. Bradlee Anae might be available a little later. But I don’t think it’s a serious reach to take him here.

Burke: Right, I doubt they’d feel comfortable sitting and waiting on him. He fits the scheme and a need.

Pick: No. 67 overall, Bradlee Anae (Edge, Utah). 

Baumgardner: Still in the third round here at No. 85. Is this receiver or guard time?

Burke: Receivers, I’m looking at Bryan Edwards, K.J. Hill, Quartney Davis, Collin Johnson, Antonio Gandy-Golden and Lynn Bowden, among others. Still not exactly scraping the bottom of the barrel there.

The Rams just took Damien Lewis at pick 84. That was the guard I’d been circling for the Lions in Round 3 or 4.

Baumgardner: I think we might be able to get a guard like Michigan’s Ben Bredeson at 109. I’m thinking this might be receiver territory. Edwards and Hill are both interesting options there. Edwards wouldn’t be here in any other draft, I don’t think.

Burke: Edwards picked a bad year to have a combine injury (broken foot). Sort of have to trust the recovery process since no one can see him in person.

Baumgardner: One thing I’ve liked about him during the process is that he’s a really young player with a lot of experience. He’s a four-year starter who won’t turn 22 until November. He’ll need some developmental time (something the Lions can give him), but not necessarily an incredible amount.

Burke: I’ll tell ya what: Lynn Bowden might be something in this offense. Darrell Bevell had Percy Harvin as his gadget guy in Seattle and then tried to make J.D. McKissic that guy last season. Bowden could be in that same mold and re-signing Danny Amendola means they basically could redshirt Bowden.

But I’m with you on Edwards. His size makes him a slot/outside option and he’s got that physical game the Lions love in their receivers. I say we make that pick.

Pick: No. 85 overall, Bryan Edwards (WR, South Carolina). 

Round 4

Burke: On to No. 109 with a shorter clock. Bowden and K.J. Hill are still available. I regret everything.

Baumgardner: I’m certain half of Lions Twitter already mock fired us several picks ago … no regrets!

Burke: It’s a little weird to just blow through some of these ultra-athletic linebackers because they weigh, like, 220 and I can’t see it in Detroit. Oregon’s Troy Dye is here at 109, for example.

Baumgardner: I thought about that early on with someone like LSU’s Patrick Queen, for example. Really nice player, but I’m not sure the Lions are looking for that type of LB. Until they surprise us all and reshuffle the deck, I guess. What’s the OL situation like on the board here?

Burke: Well, Bredeson is available, as you suggested — I took him in our dueling mocks, so I’d be on board with that choice. A few developmental OTs are available (Hakeem Adeniji, Jack Driscoll). What’s your read on assuming college centers can convert to guard in the NFL, likely with a shortened offseason program? Because Nick Harris and Tyler Biadasz are two others the Lions could get at this spot.

Baumgardner: Harris is really interesting, as he did play both in college. People might be a bit afraid of him because he’s basically 6-1. For me, it’d be Harris or Bredeson here, I think. I’d also add that I think Bredeson can play center if need be.

Burke: They had both guys at the Senior Bowl, so that checks out. I’ll vote Bredeson (again).

Baumgardner: That’ll work. One Michigan interior lineman out, one Michigan interior lineman in.

Burke: Get working on the guard they can nab from Ann Arbor in 2024.

Pick: No. 109 overall, Ben Bredeson (OG, Michigan). 

Round 5

Baumgardner: Not to get all in-state specific here … but is Josiah Scott still available at No. 149?

Burke: He is!

Baumgardner: I know we’ve both been pretty high on him for a while. I know Dane Brugler has him in his top 100. There’s a reason why teams love Mark Dantonio defensive backs and Scott absolutely qualifies. I don’t necessarily care if he wasn’t as productive last year on a team that had problem areas all over the place. He feels like a bit of a steal in the fifth round.

Burke: They also don’t have much in the slot behind Justin Coleman. They’ve used Jamal Agnew when they go to dime looks, but I don’t get the sense they’re banking on him being an answer there long-term. Like it. Although, if Geno Stone hadn’t had such a crummy combine, I probably would’ve picked him without even talking to you about it.

Baumgardner: Great point. They love those Hawkeyes.

Pick: No. 149 overall, Josiah Scott (CB, Michigan State). 

Burke: Still in the fifth round at No. 166. Haven’t taken a safety or linebacker yet. Otherwise, the board is pretty wide open at this point — three picks left. We’re into special-teams/maybe help on defense range with the safeties. A couple of linebackers, Shaq Quarterman and Jacob Phillips, mesh with their apparent M.O. at that position. A guy who does jump out a bit for me: Virgina Tech TE Dalton Keene. They still have room for competition at that spot and he’s a more polished version of Isaac Nauta.

Baumgardner: Oh, I do like Jacob Phillips. He tackles everything. And they need people who not only have ball instincts but also guys who know how to tackle. It’s a little thing, but it’s something they didn’t have near enough of last year.

Burke: Maybe if we put enough guys in that room, they can piece things together next to Jamie Collins. Phillips it is.

Pick: No. 166 overall, Jacob Phillips (LB, LSU). 

Round 6

Burke: At 182 we’ve got Keene, Harrison Bryant, Colby Parkinson still there at TE. Could double up on receiver — plenty of them left. Have any opinion on Clemson safety Tanner Muse?

Baumgardner: I looked at Tanner Muse … and he looks like a linebacker. I’m interested. But would the Lions be? He might be a tweener in a way that doesn’t quite fit what they want. This feels like a spot for Keene, who as you point out is a flexible tight end/H-back who is still pretty young — just barely 21.

Burke: True. Muse is a ridiculous athlete so they could use him on special teams. I’m not sure how good he is at, ya know, football. I lobbied for Keene last round and no one else took him. That’s my vote.

Baumgardner: Exactly. Muse is really fast, but I’m not sure. I’m with you on Keene. Lock it in. Could be an interesting piece.

Pick: No. 182 overall, Dalton Keene (TE, Virginia Tech). 

Round 7

Burke: No. 235. You want to throw a dart, or should I?

Baumgardner: Throw it … just don’t miss the board. We’ve already been mock fired, I think.

Burke: So we talked about safeties a couple rounds back. Jordan Fuller from Ohio State and Jalen Elliott from Notre Dame are options, and I think either could contribute on the depth chart. Both are high-character guys, by all accounts. Khaleke Hudson’s another late-round flier type that is on the board but I’m not sure where he fits this defense. He’s not a Tavon Wilson replacement, in my mind, and he’s probably not helping you playing up high.

Baumgardner: I do like Fuller. I think he’s the type of steady hand that doesn’t get caught making too many mistakes. I don’t think you have to squint too terribly hard to see where he’d fit on an NFL roster. I think he’d fit well in the type of locker room the Lions want to build. All those things.

Burke: I’m in the same boat with Elliott. He had a nice week down at the Senior Bowl. I’ll nab Fuller … and save Elliott for my week-of-the-draft mock.

Pick: No. 235 overall, Jordan Fuller (S, Ohio State). 

Baumgardner: What are your thoughts on our haul?

Burke: Those first three picks could be significant upgrades, especially on defense. I'm not sure the picks in Rounds 4 and beyond will excite anyone but Bredeson could be a starter and everyone else improves the depth.

My most pressing concern is that we didn't do enough at receiver in a great receiver draft. Edwards helps, but is he ever more than a No. 2/No. 3 guy? Doubt it.

Baumgardner: Agree. I think the Lions are going to have a hard time not walking away with three really good players if a trade goes through. This is a good draft in more than a few spots. Those three (Okudah, Davidson, Dobbins) are first-round talents. Can't argue with that.

And with receiver, I really don't know how to settle on that. I agree, every time I go through one of these I wonder if I'm waiting too long to pull the trigger. Would a receiver in the 30s make more sense? Perhaps.