One week of free agency is in he books for the Detroit Lions. All the big stuff that goes down in the NFL has been done and now things will begin to slow down as we enter wave two.
The Lions were active this week. They signed DJ Reader, Marcus Davenport Amik Robertson and then traded for Carlton Davis. Everything the Lions did was on the defensive side of the ball. That's going to inform the way I draft for the Lions today.
The Davis trade and the compensatory picks that the league announced has changed the order for the Lions as well, so this is the first time that I'll be making picks at some of these spots. Let's jump into it.
The NFL Combine really had me thinking that the Lions were going to be interested in drafting a receiver based off of how many of the top end guys they had formal meetings with. The way they attacked free agency has me feeling it even more. The Lions went in on acquiring corners and fixing the defensive line and that pushed up the opportunity to get a top receiver.
The Lions met with Thomas at the combine and then he went on to have a very impressive one. Despite that, he should still be available in the 20's and in this mock, he was there so I took him at 29 for the second mock in a row.
Thomas is a game changer for the Lions offense. He becomes their definitive number two guy overnight and gives the Lions that big bodied X receiver that they've been needing for years.
As expected, the Lions didn't get any of the top end pass rushers in free agency. They did sign Marcus Davenport who was once a first round pick. Kneeland is the younger version of him in my opinion.
A guy with long arms and a high motor. Kneeland can run through guys and he can push guys. He's the kind of edge that can sack a quarterback by throwing his offensive lineman into him.
That speed is definitely noticeable too. He was the fastest defensive linemen at the Senior Bowl and then ran a 4.7 40-yard dash at the combine. Him being on the opposite side of Aidan Hutchinson is something I have to see.
While the Lions haven't done it yet, I think they'll probably sign a veteran guard to come in and take Jonah Jackson's place for the interim while they build up a guard. Mahogany is the perfect guard to build up.
Mahogany is a violent blocker that plays with the type of physicality that Hank Fraley and the Lions love. He also has some great athleticism as well. Mahogany is the type of player that could take over the starting guard spot fast so the Lions wouldn't have to hold on to a vet too long.
The Lions are set at corner for their top spots, but bringing in a rookie is still something I think they'll do. Pritchett is someone that I've included in some other mock drafts in the past and it's because of his athleticism and potential that I keep mocking him to the Lions.
That and I think that he can be an immediate help on special teams as a kick returner. He did it at Auburn and that 4.36 speed he showed at the combine would certainly look good for the Lions on a return.
It's time for some depth on the defensive line. The Lions have a tremendous duo with DJ Reader and Alim McNeil and they have their young project with Brodric Martin. Harris is a guy that can back up McNeil and can do a lot of things that McNeil can do on a smaller scale and in relief.
Harris was impressive at the Senior Bowl and had a strong combine as well. He also worked with new Lions' defensive line coach Terrell Williams at the Senior Bowl as well, so they've had some eyes on him already.
I've been impressed with McMahon for a while now. This is the third mock draft that I've had him in. The reasoning is the same as it was the first two times. This guy has a ton of versatility. He's started at left guard, right guard and center. The Lions could use a depth piece like him that can fill in at a moments notice and has experience playing wherever he fills in at.
I put Sam in my post combine mock and I'm putting him here again. I just think he's a culture fit all the way. That and the Lions have just two safeties on the roster right now. I fully expect them to sign one at some point. Here's a rookie option that can grow with the team. His story is one that I would definitely catch up on by the way.
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