NFL Mock Draft 2016: Taking a swing in Los Angeles

Taylor Decker. 16. player. 50. <p>I have a feeling that fans of the Detroit Lions will not love this projection, even if it greatly improves the football team.</p> <p>Taylor Decker is not a player with a fast-rising pedigree in draft circles and, in fact, I would tell you that it is pretty unlikely that he develops into being an All-Pro level player at the NFL level. Obviously, that is not terribly inspiring when discussing a player projected as a mid-first round pick in the draft, but Decker is <em>extremely</em> safe and when it comes to offensive linemen, that is a very good attribute.</p> <p>Detroit has been ghastly at protecting Matthew Stafford in the past, and that is not going to get any better for 2016 and beyond without the threat of Calvin Johnson on the outside. Decker projects as an immediate starter at the right tackle spot in the NFL, and he is a regularly dominant run blocker with the measurables and talent to improve into an above-average pass blocker in Detroit.</p> <p>The Lions could easily make an argument for taking a wide receiver (again, to replace the aforementioned Johnson) or even to select a player at virtually any level of the defense. However, Decker best combines team need with overall ranking for Todd McShay, and this looks like a nice marriage between prospect and organization.</p>. OT. Ohio State