We are officially one week away from the 2019 NFL Draft and to be honest, my head is spinning with all of the different scenarios that could play out for the Detroit Lions in the first round.
One possible scenario that has been talked about quite a bit as of late involves the Lions moving down in the first round.
Now, moving down seems like the ideal situation for Lions’ GM Bob Quinn but in order to do so, there has to be a team who wants to move up. (Duh)
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Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press just dropped a mock draft that includes the Lions trading with the Cincinnati Bengals back to No. 11.
With that 11th pick, Birkett has the Lions selecting OL Jonah Williams out of Alabama. Here is what Birkett had to say about the pick.
“The Lions miss out on Oliver, Hockenson and White, but Williams is arguably the best offensive linemen in the draft. He would start Day 1 at right guard and could eventually move to right tackle when the Lions are done with Rick Wagner. Bob Quinn loves offensive linemen, and SEC players, and Williams checks both boxes.”
Nation, how would you feel about this scenario playing out?
BONUS CONTENT:
Detroit Lions’ Perfect 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Final Edition
It has been a marathon but we are almost to the promised land which is the 2019 NFL Draft!
After hours and hours of research, all of the so-called “experts” will soon be unveiling their final mock draft of the season and none of them will end up being correct.
I, on the other hand, do not claim to be an expert. Instead, I am just a huge fan of the Detroit Lions who happens to believe to know what the Lions’ biggest needs are and which available prospects can fill those needs.
That being said, here is my final crack at what I believe the “perfect” Detroit Lions’ draft would look like.
*Remember, this is NOT what I think Lions’ GM Bob Quinn WILL do in the upcoming draft, it is what I think he SHOULD do.
Round 1, Pick 8
Ed Oliver (DL) Houston
Oliver is an absolute beast and he could come in and make an immediate impact for a Lions defense that should be greatly improved in 2019.
From Dane Brugler (The Athletic):
STRENGTHS: Fluid body control to wriggle off blocks…excellent foot quickness and change of direction skills…shot out of a cannon with his first step…forces holding penalties due to his gap quickness…creates knockback with his speed-to-power skills…ball awareness to track through blocks…uses natural leverage to stay underneath the pads of blockers…better than expected play strength as a run defender…highly aggressive motor and effort never wanes, chasing down plays near the sidelines…dominated from the moment he stepped onto campus and leaves as a three-time All-American, collecting 54.0 tackles for loss over 33 career starts.
WEAKNESSES: Lacks desired frame and length…needs to continue and develop his body and stay in the 280-285 pound range (weighed 274 for most of his final season at Houston)…relied more on motor than brute power to overwhelm blockers in college…not a bull rusher…undeveloped approach with his hands…below- average counter measures once locked up…faced inferior competition in the AAC…several immature moments in college, including an on-field altercation with head coach Major Applewhite regarding a coat issue on the sideline — Oliver has a “young attitude” and has “growing up to do,” according to an NFL scout…missed five games as a junior with a right knee bruise (November 2018) and was limited at the combine with a strained hamstring (February 2019).
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Houston, Oliver was one of college football’s most disruptive players over the last three years, spending most of his time at nose tackle for the Cougars. With his football flexibility and natural biomechanics, he has rare athletic ability for the position with the backfield vision to recognize play designs and disrupt from different angles. Oliver still requires time to develop his body, mind and technique at the next level. He will struggle with long-armed blockers who get to his frame and control his chest, but his energy and motor are both elite. Overall, Oliver won’t be a natural fit for every NFL scheme, but he is an ideal one-gap penetrator due to his athleticism, instincts and relentless nature, projecting best when he is lined up closest to the football.
