2021 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions 7-round mock

Trey Flowers has been a disappointment in Detroit after signing a big deal in free agency. At the very least, he needs more help on the defensive line if he’s going to develop into the kind of impact player the Lions need him to be.

Combine that reality with Romeo Okwara’s impending free agency and it’s clear that Detroit has a big need at edge rusher. Landing Basham in Round 2 would give Campbell and his new coaching staff an intriguing defensive building block to work with.

The former Wake Forest standout isn’t the quickest rusher off the edge, but he uses a terrific combination of power and solid technique to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks. His size also gives him the ability to hold up against the run at the point of attack. Basham is a well-rounded prospect that should be a solid starter for a long time.

Detroit might be tempted to go with more of a speed guy at this stage of the draft, but Basham gives them more value than any of those sorts of options. He projects as an instant starter for a defense starved for talent. That’s good value in Round 2.