With The First Pick
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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Deep in Defensive Players

By Carl Cockerham

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) and defensive lineman Reggie Chevis (13) celebrate a defensive stop against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) and defensive lineman Reggie Chevis (13) celebrate a defensive stop against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) is sacked by Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) during the 1st half game of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) is sacked by Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) during the 1st half game of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan State. Malik McDowell. 21. player. 50. The Detroit Lions surprised many this year and are almost there as a contender out of the NFC. One thing that will definitely help is having CB Darius Slay back healthy next year. A pass rush to go along with him would be even better for the Lions. <p>Ezekiel Ansah had a down year this year off the edge because he’s been banged up. So while getting him back healthy next year would help, adding an interior pass-rusher would help more. And there’s a player right down the street that can help in that area.</p> <p>Malik McDowell of Michigan State is in the mold of Leonard Williams and Deforest Buckner. At 6’6″, 290 pounds, he has long arms and is an athletic freak at his size. With his quickness, he would help that defense as a disruptive, penetrating 3-technique.</p> <p>That would give the Lions the pass rush to compete with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. This year is not luck, people don’t realize how close Lions are from taking NFC North away from them. And this pick would close the gap between the two teams even more.</p>. DT

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