NFL mock draft: Conference championship edition

After losing their personal foul machine defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to the Miami Dolphins in free agency last season, the Detroit Lions brought in former Baltimore nose tackle Haloti Ngata, who was a big disappointment for the Lions.

Now a free agent again, Ngata says he would love to stay in Detroit, but the Lions would be smart to go with youth here. One player who could come in and start right away and offer an upgrade to their no longer stout defensive line is Alabama defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson.

Incredibly agile for a man built like a refrigerator, Robinson weighs 320 pounds and registered 22 tackles for a loss for the Crimson Tide. With nine sacks in three seasons, A’Shawn won’t be a beast in pass rushing, but he still has the ability to put some pressure on the passer up the middle, something Ngata didn’t really provide for Detroit last season.

Every season Alabama offers up several first-round draft choices due to the excellent coaching they receive along with the pro style offensive and defensive systems they operate in. Robinson looks to be as good as any other defensive lineman to come from this highly respected university.

Next: No. 17