Now that the Super Bowl is over, NFL fan bases have shifted their attention to free agency and then the 2019 NFL Mock Draft.
Depending on which free agents the Detroit Lions sign, will largely dictate the direction they go in the draft.
http://gty.im/1055987702
There is no question about it that they need an edge rusher, a cornerback (or two), a tight end, a linebacker, and a running back to go along with Kerryon Johnson.
Personally, I think Lions’ GM Bob Quinn would be wise to take care of the cornerback position via free agency but one person who apparently does not think that will happen is ESPN’s Todd McShay.
McShay just dropped his NFL Mock Draft 2.0 and he has the Lions selecting Greedy Williams, cornerback, LSU.
Here is McShay’s rationale (Pay Site)
Detroit needs an edge rusher with Ezekiel Ansah likely headed out of town, and the Lions would love to add a solid tight end, but Williams is the best need-value match at No. 8. The Lions tied for second-fewest interceptions in the league with seven, and the tall LSU corner has the closing speed to bait quarterbacks and then pounce on their mistakes. Motor City hasn’t gone cornerback in the first round since Terry Fair in 1998.
What is interesting is that McShay has the Lions’ taking a cornerback with guys like Devin White (LB) and Ed Oliver (DL) still on the board.
Nation, what do you think about McShay’s mock to the Lions? Would you be satisfied?
NOTE: For those of you who destroyed me for having the Lions go with Rashan Gary in the first round, McShay had Gary going No. 4 overall in his mock!
BONUS CONTENT:
Drysdale: Full Detroit Lions 2019 ‘Perfect’ NFL Mock Draft Vol. 1
Polar Vortex 2019!
What better time than to write up my first full Detroit Lions 2019 NFL Mock Draft?
Let me begin by saying these mock drafts are extremely fluid as free agency will play a huge role in what direction Lions’ GM Bob Quinn decides to go in the NFL Draft.
For example, I personally believe that acquiring an edge rusher should be the number one priority this offseason and I would have to believe that Quinn agrees with that. But if he goes out and signs a big name DE such as Trey Flowers out of New England (yes, please!), the chances of the Lions drafting an edge rusher with their No. 8 pick in the first round would drop, though it is still possible.
This volume of my full Detroit Lions mock draft focuses on what the current needs are at this moment in time as if not a single free agent is signed.
So, with that understood, let’s take a look at Vol. 1 of my full Detroit Lions 2019 ‘Perfect’ NFL Mock Draft.
Round 1 (No. 8 overall) Rashan Gary (DL) – Michigan
Despite not having as much production as many projected him to have at the college level, Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary is the real deal and I have no doubt that he will be a top 10 pick. Gary would fit in beautifully with what Matt Patricia wants to do with the Lions’ defense and if he is available at No. 8, Bob Quinn should not hesitate to pull the trigger.
From The Draft Network:
Rashan Gary is a versatile defender with the needed abilities to be a disruptive force working from 3T. Gary has the ability to set the edge vs. the run and can be worked on the outside sparingly, although his pass rush skills are best utilized in scenarios that allow him to play with linear angles and with his hips aligned behind his pads to optimize his power and quickness.
