Fansided

NFL mock draft: SEC stars get moved around

By John Buhler

Dec 4, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
8

Eli Manning

Quarterback, Ole Miss Rebels

The Detroit Lions are faced with the harsh reality that their greatest quarterback in franchise history in Matthew Stafford now plays for the New York Jets. Without a competent starting quarterback, who knows how bad the 2018 Lions would be?

With three solid SEC signal callers off the board in Georgia’s Stafford to the Jets, Auburn’s Cam Newton to the Cleveland Browns and Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott to the San Francisco 49ers, the Lions use the No. 8 overall pick on former Ole Miss Rebels standout Eli Manning.

Manning would actually come in right away and be a great starter for the Lions. He’d pick up the intricate nuances of Jim Bob Cooter’s offense. The Lions should be solid defensively under Teryl Austin. Basically, the lucky breaks that Detroit got in 2016 didn’t go the Lions’ way in 2017. This is the logic behind them picking in the top-10 and not in the NFC playoff mix.

Perhaps playing in a dome helps extend Manning’s longevity. We do realize that his brother won a lot of games playing in a dome. Then again, Manning’s dad still lost all the time in the Louisiana Superdome. Dome Eli might be the best Eli. For at least a two-to-three-year window, this is an excellent consolation prize for the Lions to have in the wake of losing Stafford to the Jets.

When putting all your eggs in the Floppy Sleeves basket goes wrong. The Minnesota Vikings are now on the clock…

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