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2017 NFL Mock Draft: South Beach has a new QB

By Erik Lambert

Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) attempts to throw the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter of a game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) attempts to throw the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter of a game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) scores a on an interception return during the second half of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) scores a on an interception return during the second half of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Detroit Lions

Michigan State. Malik McDowell . 11. player. 50. It seems like the window for the Detroit Lions is closing fast. Two years ago they looked like a team ready for a Super Bowl run. Now Ndamukong Suh is in Miami. Calvin Johnson is retired. The team is running out of star power and haven’t been able to replace it. That more than anything is why the team is 1-3 and starting at another losing season. It’s fair to wonder what the future holds for head coach Jim Caldwell if that happens. <p>One area that has been exposed recently is their pass rush. Losing Suh was bad enough but the Lions are getting a preview of what life could be like without defensive end Ezekiel Ansah. In a word, bad. They need to get another presence up front who can impact the pass pocket in some way. Otherwise they run the risk of leaving Ansah on an island where he won’t be as effective as he could be otherwise.</p> <p>One of the defensive talents that have scouts so excited is Malik McDowell. The Michigan State defensive tackle has the skill set made for the NFL. He’s big and long, able to keep blockers away from his body. At the same times he has a quickness and burst that allows him to get into the backfield before the opponent has time to react. Such disruption is what the Lions lost when Suh left. With McDowell’s versatility they could get some of it back.</p>. DT

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