NFL Draft 2018: Detroit Lions 7-round mock draft
By Joe Romano
The Detroit Lions were a game away from making the playoffs in 2017. Before free agency kicks off, here is how they should address the NFL draft.
Detroit locked up their star quarterback Matthew Stafford earlier this year. He took the team to the brink of the playoffs yet again. Despite having no run game and a mediocre defense, this Lions team can score with anyone. With eyes on the 2018 NFL draft, Detroit could load up to get back into the playoffs next season.
This mock draft was done using Fanspeak’s On the Clock, a fun and informative tool for all NFL draft fans.
Round 1 – Pick 20
Sam Hubbard, EDGE, Ohio State
The Lions in 2017 had a formula for winning. That formula centered around quarterback Matthew Stafford. His ability to throw the ball to all levels gave that team juice. On the other side of the ball the team let their blue chip players wreak havoc. Corner Darius Slay is one of the game’s best at locking down opposing receivers. On the defensive front it was edge rusher Ezekiel Ansah’s show.
Despite being a throwing team who won more game than they lost, Detroit ranked in the bottom half of the league in sacks. Ansah is also a pending free agent but signs point to Detroit ether using the franchise tag on him or the two working out an agreement. Either way next season Ansah will play in Detroit. Finding a partner off the edge for Ansah needs to be a priority for this team.
In this draft there is an elite pass rusher at the top in Bradley Chubb. After he goes, likely in the top five, there is a handful of players who could be the next edge rusher off the board. In this scenario one of those guys, Ohio Stat’s Sam Hubbard fell to Detroit.
Hubbard would make a great partner for Ansah, as the two compliment each other very well. The Ohio State product is a technician and worker at the position. What he lacks in athleticism he makes up for in excellent bend and hand use. Hubbard is the type of player that can play on every down in the NFL which increases his value over other pass rushers.
There are a lot of mocks that place a running back here. With the depth of the class and lack of depth in the edge class, taking Hubbard and waiting until round two to grab a running back presents the best value. The only back off the board at this point was Saquon Barkley, so Detroit could pick their favorite here over an edge rusher.