With only three games left in the 2021 season, sights have shifted over to the draft, with mock drafts have come in abundance. The latest is from PFF’s Trevor Sikkema, who slotted a couple of stout Big 10 defenders to help beef up the Detroit Lions defense.
The Jacksonville Jaguars hold the distinct honor of the No. 1 selection, the second year in a row. They could go two directions, either grab one of the top edge defenders or provide protection to Trevor Lawerence. Either way, it is a no-lose situation for the Lions. Suppose the Jaguars decide to grab one of the edge defenders, Aidan Hutchinson or Kayvon Thibodeaux. In that case, the Lions will be happy to grab the other, especially with how close talent-wise they are to one another.
Sikkema decided to go with the latter and make Trevor Lawerence a happy man by slotting Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal, giving the Lions their choice in edge defenders. The Lions really can’t go wrong here, and it’ll come to which one they prefer. In this mock draft, the popular pairing of the Lions and Aidan Hutchinson shows up once again.
“With the Lions happy at offensive tackle, they’ll look to the defensive trenches. This pick will come down to who is higher on their big board, Aidan Hutchinson or Kayvon Thibodeaux. I have a hunch it will be Hutchinson. The Michigan player “staying home” after a stellar season — which included a trip to New York City as a Heisman finalist — feels like the most likely outcome. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound senior racked up 74 pressures and three batted passes across 429 pass-rush snaps in 2021.”
Some individuals have some hesitation on the Lions selecting Hutchinson, especially after his quiet game against Georgia, but I turn to the main man, Jeff Risdon, to alleviate any of those concerns and how you shouldn’t judge a player by one game.
Depending on what the Lions do in free agency, many people will be begging the Lions to grab a receiver in the draft to help Jared Goff, but at this point, wide receiver might not be the biggest hole that is plaguing the Lions. Tracy Walker and Dean Marlowe, probably the Lions top two safeties, are free agents, and Will Harris is best in situational scenarios and not a full-time starter; the Lions are in desperate need of playmakers in the secondary. Sikkema helps take care of that problem with the Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker selection, with the Lions second first-round selection.
“The Lions could opt for a receiver here, but with most of the top receivers off the board, I think they’ll broaden their options, especially with how well Amon-Ra St. Brown played down the stretch. Their secondary needs work, but cornerback isn’t the worst part of it. There’s reason to hold out hope with Jeff Okudah, and Amani Oruwariye showed improvement. Brisker could be a Day 1 player for them. He has experience in both single-high and robber roles, but his best work seems to come as a downhill defender.”
If not for Norte Dame’s Kyle Hamilton, Brisker has the tools and freakishly uber athleticism to easily be the top safety in this year’s draft. He played all over the field in the Nittany Lions defense at single high, in the box, along with multiple coverage packages. With his superb intuition and anticipation of disrupting the pass and making game-changing plays. Brisker’s versatility will take the Lions defense to the next level, especially if Aaron Glenn gets his hands on him.
Sikkema’s mock draft is a dream scenario for the Lions, giving them two of the top defenders in this year’s draft, who could elevate the defense in the most desperate way possible. At this point, the Lions need playmakers, and you won’t have to look far with the additions of Hutchinson and Brisker to streamline the rebuild.