Day one of the NFL Draft (Editor’s note: The Lions Super Bowl) is approaching fast. Detroit has needs at almost every position group on the roster, so we’re going to break down some of their options to address those needs in the upcoming draft. This time, we’re focusing on interior defensive lineman.
The defensive line is arguably the Lions most significant need coming into the draft (along with edge rushers, running backs, and all those other deficiencies we alluded to). Detroit’s pass rush was a literal non-factor in 2017, and the Lions struggled mightily in run defense during the latter half of the season (notably terrible after losing Haloti Ngata to injury). Any of these players could indeed be an excellent tourniquet if Bob Quinn selected them this April.
(Stats courtesy of ESPN and Sports-Reference CFB).
Day One Prospects (First Round)
- Vita Vea, Washington
http://gty.im/609444850
2018 Stats: 5.5 TFL, 3.5 Sacks, 4 Passes Defended
Simply put, Vita Vea is a beast. At 6’5 and 340lbs according to ESPN, Vea can be the run plug the Lions missed when Haloti Ngata went down last season. What makes Vea so unique is not his size, but his versatility; according to Pro Football Focus, Vea Played all over the defensive line including 308 snaps at defensive tackle, 108 snaps at defensive end, and 116 snaps at nose tackle. Those nose tackle snaps are notable with the transition to new head coach Matt Patricia’s multiple defenses that often utilizes a 3-4.
Vea would be the perfect first pick for the new Lions coaching staff, as he could anchor the Patricia Militia for years. Vea has been mocked as high as 13 to Washington early in the draft process. However, he has also mocked as late as 32 to the Patriots. If he’s available to the Lions at 20, Bob Quinn might set a new 40-yard record getting to the podium.
- Da’Ron Payne, Alabama
http://gty.im/903926296
2018 Stats: 1 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 INT, 3 Passes Defended, 1 Fumble Recovery
The most prominent thing Da’Ron Payne has going for him is the Alabama coaching. Nick Saban mostly used Payne in run situations, which is where he is most successful. Da’Ron Payne measures in at 6’2 and 308lbs. He will also be only 20 years old when his name is announced at the NFL Draft. In the College Football Playoffs, Payne was dominant as he was named the National championship Defensive Player of the game. In said National Championship game, his PFF grade was 96.4 as the Alabama defense held Georgia to 3.23 yards per carrying. Payne has been mocked as high as number 13 to Washington but has also fallen to number 26 at Atlanta. If Vea off of the board by the time the Lions pick, Payne could be anchoring the Patricia Militia defense for the next ten years.
- Maurice Hurst Jr, Michigan
http://gty.im/610182298
2018 Stats: 13TFL, 5.5 Sacks, 2 Pass Defended, 1 Forced Fumble
Mo Hurst was a no-brainer first-round pick when the draft process started. That is until he was sent home from the combine with a heart condition. Hurst has since been fully cleared as ready and able to play professional football.
Hurst made the most of being cleared in time for Michigan’s Pro Day posting excellent numbers across the board.
From start to finish, @mohurstjr put together an impressive performance at today's Pro Day. #ProBlue pic.twitter.com/Tuno4hoUKX
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) March 23, 2018
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotulelei had the same heart condition that Hurst has and the Panthers still selected him in the first round. Lotulelei has missed only four games in his first five seasons. What made Hurst a first-round pick was his incredible motor and the knack for making plays; he accounted for 13 Tackles for loss on the season and 5.5 sacks according to Sports-Reference. His versatility is what made him a favorite mock pick to the Lions, as he played all over the line for Don Brown’s defense. Maurice Hurst graded out as Pro Football Focus’s top player in all of college football with a grade of 96.9, which included a grade of 94.4 against the run, and 92.3 as a pass rusher. Since the (re)discovery of his heart condition, he has been mocked as early as pick number 32 to the Super Bowl champion Eagles and as late as a mid-third-round pick to the 49ers. It is unclear as of right now just how much it will affect Hurst’s draft stock but now cleared, he should still be considered a day one prospect.
Day Two Prospects (Rounds 2-3)
- Harrison Phillips, Stanford
http://gty.im/864018724
2018 Stats: 17 TFL, 7.5 Sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles, 2 Fumble Recoveries
Phillips is another massive body that is great against the run. He was 2nd among draft-eligible run stoppers according to Pro Football Focus. His versatility or lack thereof is the problem as Phillips mainly played in the middle. He has been mocked in the late first round. However, it is also worth noting he has also fallen into the early third round. If the Lions look elsewhere in the first round, Phillips could be an option on day 2. His Greatest attribute might be his leadership which was highlighted when Salomon Thomas left for the NFL after last season as reiterated by his head coach.
“Harrison Phillips is the unquestioned leader there, and he’s done a phenomenal job, but it’s going to take all of them playing together,” Stanford head coach David Shaw said, via the San Francisco Chronicle’s Rusty Simmons. “Harrison has done a great job of leading the guys, but he’s also bringing the guys along. He’s not just staying out front by himself.”
- Rasheem Green, USC
http://gty.im/899638502
2018 Stats: 12.5 TFL, 10 Sacks, 4 Passes Defended
Green has been mocked in the third round. At 6’4 275lbs, he is very undersized to play inside. However, he also played a lot of snaps at Defensive End making him versatile and a fit for Matt Patricia’s defense as a situational pass rusher inside or outside. Green could easily be a day one prospect, but it has been his lack of consistency that has held him back which makes him a dangerous day two prospect.
Day 3 Prospects (Rounds 4-7)
- Derrick Nnadi, Florida State
http://gty.im/618016702
2018 Stats: 10 TFL, 3.5 Sacks, 1 Pass Defended
Mocked in the mid to low fourth round, he would be a run-down specialist for the Lions from day one with pass rush upside. He had the eighth highest run stopping grade amongst interior lineman this season at 86.6. If he can become more of a disruptive player against the pass, this could be a steal for the Lions.
- B.J. Hill, N.C. State
http://gty.im/624431372
2018 Stats: 3.5 TFL, 2 Sacks, 3 Passes Defended, 1 Forced Fumble
Some people have him going in the second round, however, he has been mocked into the fourth round in some mock drafts. With his size (6’3 315lbs) and versatility as a DT/DE/NT, he would be a nice late round find if he does fall to day three and the Lions scoop him up. He would add some much-needed beef along the defensive line.
- Deadrin Senat, South Florida
http://gty.im/856036436
2018 Stats: 10.5 TFL, 6 Sacks
Being mocked in the seventh round, Senat could be the steal of the draft for any team. A big 320lbs DT, he can keep LB Jarred Davis clean and be part of the Lions Defensive Line rotation from day one.
The Lions will have six picks in this year’s draft (Rounds 1-5, and a seventh-round pick). They still have other needs across the board, but you better believe they will and should use one of those picks (if not more) on the interior of their defensive line.
