The first mock draft projections from ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. are now public. Kiper has been one of the prominent faces and voices of the NFL draft media for decades, and his takes are always interesting.
This mock draft flows into a couple of defensive selections for the Detroit Lions with their first-round selections at No. 6 and No. 18.
Kiper has these five players off the board when the Lions go on the clock at No. 6 overall:
1. Bears – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
2. Texans – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
3. Cardinals – Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
4. Colts – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
5. Seahawks – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
At six, Kiper turns to Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson. A long-armed, powerful player who led the Red Raiders with seven sacks in each of the last two seasons, Wilson brings a strong presence to the Lions defensive front. As Kiper notes,
Wilson, the top true defensive end in this class, would help both. He can use his burst at the snap to beat offensive tackles on passing downs or use his 6-foot-6 frame to hold up against the run. An edge-rushing duo of Wilson and Aidan Hutchinson would be formidable, with surprise rookie James Houston working in on obvious passing downs.
At No. 18, Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez gets the nod. It’s later than Gonzalez is typically projected, but that’s a positive development for the Lions. Like Wilson, Gonzalez has unusual size for his position but a very high athletic ceiling to go with some impressive on-field credentials at both Colorado and Oregon.
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