NFL Draft 2019: Detroit Lions full mock draft

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 24: Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) under center during the first half of an NFL preseason game between the Detroit Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 24, 2018, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 24: Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) under center during the first half of an NFL preseason game between the Detroit Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 24, 2018, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Trayvon Mullen #1 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his sack against Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Trayvon Mullen #1 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates his sack against Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Round 2 – Pick 43

Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson

The pair of Justin Coleman and Darius Slay give the Lions two options, one inside and one outside, at corner who should be elite at their position. Slay’s one of the most underrated at his position and has grown mightily during his time with the Lions. Coleman, a former undrafted free agent, has made himself into one of the most disruptive corner from the slot in the league. There is a reason he signed for such big money despite a “limited” role. Still finding a player opposite Slay is a priority for this defense.

Trayvon Mullen of Clemson projects as an outside corner with great length who can help Slay out. Mullen would benefit from having Slay on the other side while he irons out the kinks of his footwork. This is a weak crop of corners overall in the draft. Most of them, like Mullen, are more projections than finished projects. What it most exciting about the Tigers lock down corner is he is coming from an NFL style defense where he was tasked with manning up the top option for the other team.

Mullen and Slay with Coleman in the slot gives Detroit the best defensive back unit they’ve had in a long time. Even former second round pick Teez Tabor could slot into a more defined role where his skills are best utilized. Patricia’s background with the Patriots make him a believer in defensive backs importance to a defense. Mullen is a solid prospect with room to grow into a top notch corner in the NFL given his athleticism and length.