Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions Mock Draft – UPDATED 1/10/2013:

ROUND 1:

5. Detroit Lions – CB Dee Millner, Alabama

About the Pick: Millner is the top corner in this draft, he displays great size, speed and coverage ability. He’s got the upside to be a number one corner, and shadow some of the top receivers in the NFL. He’s very pro ready playing in the SEC and in Nick Saban’s defense.

Steve’s Take: The Lions secondary is still their weakest link and should be the focus of their offseason. Millner has number 1 corner ability, and really nice size, giving the Lions a lot of potential here.

ROUND 2:

36.  Detroit Lions – DE Alex Okafor, Texas

ROUND 3:

74. Detroit Lions – S T.J. McDonald, USC

ROUND 5:

131. Detroit- RB Le’Veon Bell, Michigan State

ROUND 6:

160. Detroit Lions- CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, UConn

ROUND 7:

194. Detroit- LB Bruce Taylor, Virginia Tech

Analysis:

The Lions seriously have to upgrade their defense this offseason, and unfortunately won’t have a ton of cap room to do so. If they could land Millner and McDonald in the top three rounds that would be huge. Millner has the ability to develop into a shutdown corner and McDonald has the upside to be a very good starter. Landing a pass rusher is also important, because the consistency of anyone outside of Suh and Fairley is a major problem for this Lions defense. Okafor may not be a star, but he should generate a good amount of pressure. Drafting a local product like Le’veon Bell would be nice to continue to ensure their ground game improves and gives them a more balanced offense.