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Detroit Lions 7 round 2016 NFL Mock Draft

By jonfox

Nov 28, 2015; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers center Jake Reed (50) and offensive tackle Jason Spriggs (78) walk off the field carrying the Old Oaken Bucket after the victory against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross Ade Stadium. Indiana defeats Purdue 54-36. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers center Jake Reed (50) and offensive tackle Jason Spriggs (78) walk off the field carrying the Old Oaken Bucket after the victory against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross Ade Stadium. Indiana defeats Purdue 54-36. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Lions could go in several directions in this year’s draft including what’s discussed in this 2016 NFL Mock Draft.

It was an unusual season in the motor city. They started off as one of the worst teams in the NFL only to see a change in offensive coordinators means a semi-revival which saved Jim Caldwell and Matt Stafford’s spots with the team. Their wave of optimism might have crested since they now have to replace their superstar wideout Calvin Johnson who retired abruptly. So they’re heading into the draft with a lot of uncertainty and a mandate to find ready to start players.

1st(16): Jason Spriggs, OL Indiana
Riley Reiff isn’t the answer at left tackle and if the Lions want to see maximum production from Stafford, they need to protect his blindside. When Stafford’s sacks are under 40 in a season, his yardage and touchdowns soar. Spriggs needs work as a player but the talent is clearly there. At the very least, Spriggs shouldn’t get beat by speed rushers as consistently as Reiff has been of late.

2nd(46): Sterling Shepard, WR Oklahoma
Yes, the Lions have to replace Megatron’s production. They’re going to do this with Marvin Jones at Flanker, keeping Tate in the slot and finding an outside wideout to gash deep. Shepard could replace Tate in the slot or move out to the X spot to go deep. He did best in college as a slot wideout but he has the athleticism and ball skills to be a deep threat.

3rd(95 comp): Javon Hargrave, DL South Carolina St.
He’s very raw but he has the motor, drive and quickness to be a potential starter at 1 tech defensive tackle. If you can teach him to use his hands better, then he could be as good as Sheldon Day.

4th(111): Jacoby Brissett, QB NC State.
A developmental pick just potentially for the day when Stafford leaves. Brissett has one NFL tool that I really like: he knows how to put the ball in a window at medium and short range almost as well as any quarterback in this draft. And when he had the time to throw, he could carve up a defense. The problem is that he struggles when rushed. He has terrible eye level when rushed and that’s a big problem.

5th(151): Kelvin Taylor, RB Florida
He’s never going to be a starter in the NFL but he could be a very good rotational back in a committee where he’s teamed with a speed back and a power back. His best role would be as a yard grinder who isn’t asked to work situationally and learns the nuance of the position.

5th(169 from Denver): Jayron Kearse, DB Clemson
Great size for a safety and in the box he looked much better than he did in space for Clemson. However, he just struggles so badly when he’s asked to cover. If a team can get him to work on his game and putting in more effort, then he could be a steal.

6th(191): Daryl Worley, DB West Virginia
Worley is like his former teammate KJ Dillon: a big, long, fast defensive back who struggled with his technique and consistency. Worley is 6-1 and could keep up with Corey Coleman but his technique is so rough and in need of work that he may be nothing more than a special teamer.

6th(202 from Seattle): D.J. Reader, DL Clemson
Reader was a force on the 2014 Clemson defense and then he quit football in 2015 only to return late in the season. He’s going to be a 0 tackle in the pros and while he looks great in workouts and drills, he looks like a situational run stopper at best unless he works on his game.

6th(210 comp): Ronald Blair, DL App State
He played weakside End for App State and did well against subpar competition. For the pros, he almost certainly has to slide inside and play the 3 Tech spot since he just doesn’t have the athleticism to play end on sundays. He also needs to learn more moves than just a bull rush.

7th(236): D’haquille Williams, WR Auburn
He’s a major headcase who was a locker room problem long before Auburn booted him from the team. But this late in the draft, this is a pure lottery ticket pick. If the Lions can get his head screwed on right, then they have a big wideout with great quickness and hands. If not, well all they used was a 7th round pick.

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