NFC North Mock Draft Part Four: Detroit Lions
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DETROIT (PSF) — Just two days away from the NFL Draft. For the final part of the NFC North Mock Draft series, the focuses are on the Detroit Lions.
Rules are the same for the other three. No trades, first four rounds only.
29th overall pick — Chop Robinson, DE, Pennsylvania State
The Lions recently added former New Orleans Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport to the roster on a one-year deal. However, Davenport is more of a bridge player, a rental if you will. The team’s arguably the biggest need as of now is to find a partner to star DE Aidan Hutchinson.
The best pass rusher available at the end of the first round is Pennsylvania State DE Chop Robinson. His biggest comparison is former Nittany Lion star linebacker Micah Parsons.
Robinson has a rare combination of speed and explosiveness that makes him stand out among other star prospects such as Alabama outside linebacker Dallas Turner or Florida State DE Jared Verse.
His best season was during 2022, when as a reserve he collected 26 tackles, 10 tackles for loss (TFL), two pass breakups (PBU), and 5.5 sacks. In 2023, as a starter, Robinson logged 15 tackles, 7.5 TFL, and four sacks despite missing two games due to an injury.
With all the best pass rushers gone, the only logical choice for the Lions is the best pass rusher available in Robinson.
61st overall pick — Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
With the recent trade acquisition of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis III, and the recent signing of former Las Vegas Raiders CB Amik Robertson, this doesn’t seem like a huge position of need.
In this case, this is picking the best available player to build the defense for the future in Rutgers CB Max Melton.
For the last three years with the Scarlet Knights, Melton has continued to improve and solidified himself as one of the best corner prospects after the first round.
In 2021, Melton logged 28 tackles, two TFL, three interceptions, six PBU, and a blocked kick. In 2022, recorded 33 tackles, 2 TFL, two interceptions, 10 PBU, and three blocked kicks (lead FBS). In 2023, he improved to 32 tackles, four TFL, one sack, three interceptions, and six PBU. The last two years with the team, he was named an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference player.
When you think of the Lions secondary, you think physical players who are deadly in man coverage. Melton checks all those boxes and more
73rd overall Pick — Zach Frazier, IOL, West Virginia
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The Lions are in a situation where there isn’t much glaring depth needs. With the exception of the center position. After starting center Frank Ragnow, there is no backup in the unforeseen event of an injury.
This pick was acquired from the Minnesota Vikings in the trade for tight end T.J. Hockenson. The most logical choice, barring a reach from any team in the second round or someone picking him in the third round, is West Virginia C Zach Frazier.
Frazier could likely start for a team like the Chicago Bears, who are in need of a starter. However, Frazier also has experience at left guard, which is always needed as players keep getting injured.
In his freshman season in 2020, Frazier became the first freshman to start on the offensive line for the Mountaineers since 1980, while also being named Honorable Mention All-Big 12 Conference. In 2021, he transitioned to the middle of the line and became Second-team All-Big 12 Conference.
From 2022 to 2023, Frazier was named First-team All-Big 12 Conference in consecutive years. The latter year, Frazier was named Third-team Associated Press All-American. With this pick, the Lions pickup a crucial backup needed in one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
164th overall — Christian Jones, OT, Texas
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Technically broke my own rules here, but the Lions only had three picks, so I decided to give them another player on the mock to make it at least four.
In this case, it’s another offensive line depth piece with Texas right tackle Christian Jones. Jones had a solid college career with the Longhorns. For the last two years in 2022 and 2023, Jones was named to the Honorable Mention All-Big 12 Conference for consecutive years.
He is a bit on the older side considering he’s been in college since 2018, where he redshirted. However, he has had experience as both sides of the line as a tackle. Ultimately, there’s a multitude of directions the Lions could go with this pick, but offensive line depth is always a plus.
