Three Players (Other Than Malcolm Brown) Lions Could Take In Draft
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper released the second version of his mock draft Wednesday, and he still has the Detroit Lions taking Texas defensive tackle Malcolm Brown with the 23rd overall pick.
Kiper - and many others - currently project Brown to the Lions because the team could lose four-time All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to free agency. Fellow defensive tackles Nick Fairley, C.J. Mosley and Andre Fluellen also become free agents in March, so the Lions may well draft a player at that position even if Suh agrees to a long-term deal in Detroit. In the event Suh stays, however, the Lions will be more likely to consider investing elsewhere.
Again, Brown - or another defensive tackle - probably makes the most sense, Suh or no Suh, but here are a few players that could fulfill other needs for the Lions.
LSU cornerback Jalen Collins - In my estimation, Collins is easily the most likely selection for the Lions if they do not take Brown. Kiper projects Collins to go 24th overall, so his value seems to match where the Lions stand in the draft order. Depending on whether Detroit brings back veteran Rashean Mathis, the Lions could be in need of a cornerback. Keeping Mathis and drafting a cornerback might be the ideal scenario because Mathis, while still a serious contributor on the field, could mentor Collins or another young cornerback the same way he has helped develop Darius Slay.
From Kiper's description, it sounds like guidance from a veteran like Mathis could elevate Collins, already an impressive player, to another level.
"I see Collins as one of the bigger upside plays in this draft class," Kiper wrote, "as he offers very good size and exceptional athletic ability but often gets by on his gifts and is still a work in progress when it comes to the finer points of playing cornerback."
If the Lions want to draft a player at a different position, they could simply re-sign Mathis and target another position in the draft, perhaps hoping to get more out of 2014 fourth-round pick Nevin Lawson, who missed all of last season with an injury. Other cornerbacks on the roster include Bill Bentley, who was also lost for the 2014 season early, and Mohammed Seisay and Cassius Vaughn.
LSU tackle La'el Collins - If the Detroit Lions do not re-sign veteran guard Rob Sims, they will need to get someone to fill that starting spot. In addition to fellow starter Larry Warford, the guards already on the team's roster include Rodney Austin, Darren Keyton and Garrett Reynolds. Kiper predicts Collins can be a solid tackle but notes that others believe he will end up at guard, so it seems Collins could be an option to replace Sims.
However, Kiper projects Collins to go 29th overall, so it is unlikely the Lions would take him with the 23rd pick, although it matters how the team evaluates him and where he sits on their draft board. The Lions could also move down if they determine Collins is the guy they want.
Such a move seems improbable, however, because Detroit has recently gotten significant contributions from offensive linemen that were available later in the draft process. Undrafted free agents LaAdrian Waddle and Cornelius Lucas and third-round picks Larry Warford and Travis Swanson are a few examples.
Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon - Since the NFL has become so pass-oriented and since the Lions rely heavily on the air attack, it is hard to imagine Detroit moving up to go after a running back, even though the Lions could use an upgrade at the position.
However, Kiper stressed that Gordon will be worth some team's investment.
"Gordon ... has the kind of game-changing talent that puts this position back into play this early," Kiper wrote. "He was simply unstoppable even when everybody in the stadium knew he was getting the ball in 2014, and while he piled up the reps, he emerged healthy ... Gordon is a home-run threat."
The running game of Detroit struggled mightily last season, ranking 28th in the league in rushing yards per game. Reggie Bush battled injuries most of the season, and the 2015 season will be his 10th in the NFL. He maintains he will bounce back this season, but Lions general manager Martin Mayhew wants more balance in the offense, and if the Lions do not think Bush can provide it, maybe Gordon would be a consideration.
Those with an ESPN Insider subscription can view Kiper's full mock draft here.
