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NFL Draft 2017: Top target for each team

By John Buhler

Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) looks to throw in the first quarter against the Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) looks to throw in the first quarter against the Miami Hurricanes at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 15, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Ohio State won 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Ohio State won 30-23. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Lions: Gareon Conley

One of the biggest risers up NFL Draft boards is Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley. While his former Buckeyes teammates of cornerback Marshon Lattimore and safety Malik Hooker could be going as high as top-five, Conley would look pretty good at No. 21 to the Detroit Lions.

Detroit could look to be a bit more dynamic on the outside in their secondary. Because Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has the makings of a future NFL head coach, he will put Conley in positions to succeed in the Lions defensive from day one.

In three years with Ohio State, Conley had 91 tackles, 15 passes defended and six interceptions in 35 college games. Ohio State is quickly becoming the best pro football factory under head coach Urban Meyer. Almost annually, Ohio State sends multiple players into the NFL with first-round talent.

If that’s the case, this is a bit of a down year for the Buckeyes, as only three or four of their players will go in the top-32. Conley will inevitably be the third of fourth Buckeye taken this spring. He’ll likely end up playing on the best team of the secondary trio in 2017, as Detroit will be a player in the NFC Playoffs.

While Detroit has the roster talent to take injured Washington Huskies cornerback Sidney Jones at No. 21, it makes more sense for the Lions to take a player that can come in and compete right away to help them contend in the NFC North.

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