Pretty much every year I like to do a full 7-round mock draft for the Detroit Lions. I know not all Michigan fans are lucky enough to be fans of the 2nd worst franchise in the NFL so I try to include as many Michigan players that potentially fit the Lions system and needs to keep it interesting for all.

Luckily this year, the Lions are sitting in prime position and may control the flow of this draft if it plays out as expected. And if you saw my 2020 Full First Round NFL Mock Draft, I see it following the Joe Burrow goes 1st and, unfortunately for the Lions, Chase Young goes 2nd.

So, the Lions are sitting there at #3 overall and have the world at their fingertips. Could take a quarterback and start a new era. Could stay still and take their top defensive target. Could make Lions fans all want to jump out a window and take an offensive lineman. But the move everyone is hoping for is a team dying for a quarterback and willing to pay up to move up.

It’s no secret the Dolphins need a quarterback and have the most draft capital in this year’s draft. However, there are plenty of rumors that Miami may like Justin Herbert more than Tua Tagavailoa and could sit still and load up the roster with their 6 picks in the top 70 which, includes 3 first-round picks.

While Miami very well could move up with Detroit (or even jump the Lions and make a move with Washington or even Cincinnati), I see the Chargers being the team to make the best offer, even though it may not be as amazing of a haul as some may have hoped:

• San Diego Receives:
  • 1st Round, 3rd Overall
• Detroit Receives:
  • 1st Round, 6th Overall
  • 2nd Round, 37th Overall
  • 4th Round, 112th Overall

So, in my mock draft, the Chargers come up and take Tua, the Giants pass on my favorite player in the draft (Isaiah Simmons) and take the best offensive lineman in Tristian Wirfs, Miami takes Herbert, and the Lions sit there and make the tough choice between two immediate impact defensive players. But I see them playing it safe and going with the most popular choice…

1st Rd, 6th Overall (from SD): Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State

Okudah is the perfect fit in Matt Patricia’s defense and could be the best cornerback prospect to come out in the last decade. However, I’m not sleeping on Simmons until it’s official.

• Height: 6’1”
• Weight: 205lbs
• 40 Yard Dash: 4.48 (Combine)
• 2019 Stats: 34 tackles, 9 PD, 3 INT, 2 FF
• Other Options:
  • Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons
  • South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw
  • Auburn DT Derrick Brown
  • Alabama OT Jedrick Wills

2nd Rd, 35th Overall: Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn

Another great fit into the defense, Davidson could play multiple spots on the line. There are rumors he could go in the end of the 1st round. But if not, he’s a guy I don’t see making it past the first five picks of the 2nd round.

• Height: 6’3”
• Weight: 305lbs
• 40 Yard Dash: 5.04 (Combine)
• 2019 Stats: 29 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 2 FF
• Other Options:
  • Iowa DE AJ Epenesa
  • Alabama DE Terrell Lewis
  • LSU CB Kristian Fulton
  • Georgia OT Isaiah Wilson

2nd Rd, 37th Overall (from SD): Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah

This might be seen as a bit of a reach if you go off of most mock drafts but Bob Quinn has shown he’ll reach in the 2nd for guys he loves. Anae could be that guy this year.

• Height: 6’3”
• Weight: 257lbs
• 40 Yard Dash: 4.93 (Combine)
• 2019 Stats: 41 tackles, 14 TFL, 13 sacks, 1 FF
• Other Options:
  • Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor
  • Michigan EDGE Josh Uche
  • Alabama S Xavier McKinney
  • Ohio State RB JK Dobbins

3rd Rd, 67th Overall: Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pvPIbEr5v4

Once considered a top 15 draft prospect, Shenault’s underwhelming senior season sees him drop to the second day of the draft. If he makes it here, the Lions would be lucky to add a versatile offensive weapon to an already potent passing attack.

• Height: 6’2”
• Weight: 220lbs
• 40 Yard Dash:
• 2019 Stats: 56 rec, 764 rec yards, 4 rec TD, 161 rush yards, 2 rush TD
• Other Options:
  • Clemson WR Tee Higgins
  • Florida State RB Cam Akers
  • Ohio State LB Malik Harrison
  • Tennessee EDGE Darrell Taylor

3rd Rd, 85th Overall (from PHI): Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State

Lions need a back in this class and while I’d love to see Jonathan Taylor, JK Dobbins or Cam Akers be the pick earlier on, Evans is a guy that checks all of the boxes and could be the perfect late day 2-early day 3 target.

• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 205lbs
• 40 Yard Dash: 4.41 (Combine)
• 2019 Stats: 1,480 rush yds, 5.8 ypa, 18 rush TDs, 21 rec, 198 rec yds, 5 rec TDs, 1 Return TD
• Other Options:
  • Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts
  • NC State DT Larrell Murchinson
  • Michigan OG Ben Bredeson
  • Charlotte EDGE Alex Highsmith

4th Rd, 109th Overall: John Simpson, OG, Clemson

One of my favorite guards in the class, Simpson is a mountain that can move grown men around. Could potentially slide into a starting spot immediately.

• Height: 6’4″
• Weight: 320lbs
• 40 Yard Dash: 5.29
• Other Options:
  • Arkansas DT McTelvin Agim
  • Utah RB Zack Moss
  • LSU OG Damien Lewis
  • Missouri DT Jordan Elliott

4th Rd, 112th Overall (from SD): Davon Hamilton, NT, Ohio State

Yup, another Buckeye. OSU has a lot of good fits for the Lions in this year’s draft and this looks to be another. Detroit needs beef up front and depth at nose tackle, Hamilton offers both.

• Height: 6’4”
• Weight: 320lbs
• 40 Yard Dash: 5.14
• 2019 Stats: 28 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 6 sacks, 1 FR
• Other Options:
  • Michigan WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
  • Utah NT Leki Fotu
  • Alabama LB Anfernee Jennings
  • Mississippi State CB Cameron Dantzler

5th Rd, 149th Overall: Geno Stone, S, Iowa

Stone is one of my favorite prospects in this very interesting safeties class. He just seems like a Patriot-way type of player. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him land in Detroit, New England, or Miami.

• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 210lbs
• 40 Yard Dash: 4.62 (Combine)
• 2019 Stats: 70 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT, 4 PD, 3 FF
• Other Options:
  • Boston College RB AJ Dillon
  • Liberty WR Antonio Gandy-Golden
  • North Carolina DL Jason Strowbridge
  • Ohio State WR KJ Hill

5th Rd, 166th Overall (from PHI): Kenny Willekes, DE, Michigan State

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=693jWuRrMdc

How about another rival player? Willekes is a former walk-on turned All-American. High motor guy that will likely be a very nice rotational piece during his career. Detroit could use all the pass rush help it can get.

• Height: 6’3”
• Weight: 264lbs
• 40 Yard Dash: 4.87 (Combine)
• 2019 Stats: 78 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 10 sacks, 2 FR, 1 FF, 1 TD
• Other Options:
  • Michigan State CB Josiah Scott
  • SMU WR James Proche
  • Miami LB Shaquille Quarterman
  • Washington State QB Anthony Gordon

6th Rd, 182nd Overall: Braden Mann, P, Texas A&M

One of the more shocking things at this point would be the Lions not addressing the punter position in this draft. Mann is the best and they’ve done their due diligence. Might see him come off the board earlier than this.

• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 198lbs
• 40 Yard Dash: 4.83 (Combine)
• Yards/Punt: 47.1 (2019) – 51.0 (2018)
• Other Options:
  • Michigan TE Sean McKeon
  • Memphis TE Joey Magnifico
  • Oregon State QB Jake Luton
  • Michigan OT Jon Runyan Jr

7th Rd, 235th Overall (from NE): Jack Driscoll, OT, Auburn

Near the end of the draft, finding quality depth players is key. There are plenty of options but I’d like the see the Lions take two offensive lineman in this class so the intriguing tackle out of Auburn could be a nice late get.

• Height: 6’5”
• Weight: 305lbs
• 40 Yard Dash: 5.02 (Combine)
• Other Options:
  • Maryland DB Antoine Brooks Jr
  • Michigan QB Shea Patterson
  • North Texas EDGE Ladarius Hamilton
  • Michigan CB Lavert Hill

Now, this isn’t exactly what I would do, if I were Bob Quinn. More what I think he would do. There are a couple of the picks that I would select a different prospect but BQ and the Lions seem to have a specific type of prospect.

There’s no way I got all of the picks right. So, let me know what you think? Who would you pick in this situation? What kind of trade do you see potentially working out? Let us know in the comment section below!

Photo Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports