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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Jets, Browns land quarterbacks

By Brad Weiss

Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) looks to pass in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) looks to pass in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Taco Charlton (33) rushes the passer against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Taco Charlton (33) rushes the passer against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Taco Charlton

Edge, Michigan

The Detroit Lions were one of the better teams in football for most of the first half in 2016, though they did struggle late to hang on to the division. With their loss against the Green Bay Packers in Week 17, the Lions had to settle for the Wild Card, which was quite the accomplishment in itself. Playing without star wide receiver for the first time in nearly a decade, the Lions were able to do some nice things on offense, but their defense really struggled at times.

As they head into the draft, the Lions have to be looking to bolster their pass rush. Taco Charlton from Michigan is a guy who could play a couple positions for the Lions, but mostly line up on the other side of Ezekiel Ansah against the pass. He has the speed to play outside linebacker at the next level, and his ability to get after the quarterback is something the Lions were missing last season.

Detroit was exploited late in the season on defense, and they looked really bad against the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs. The team has done a nice job bringing in talent along the offensive line in T.J. Lang and Ricky Wagner, while also signing defensive end Armonty Bryant. Still, this defense is going to struggle if they cannot get after the likes of Aaron Rodgers next season, which could stand in their way of winning the division once again.

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