With the 2021 National Championship and the first round of the NFL playoffs behind us, it’s a good opportunity to take a look at the most recent 2021 mock drafts. These mocks will give us an early look at who the analysts are projecting the Detroit Lions to select with pick No. 7 in the upcoming NFL draft.
One very common theme has presented itself with these post-national championship mock drafts: After a dominating showing in the NCAA playoffs, Alabama wide receiver Devonta Smith, who was routinely mocked to the Lions, is now off the board before the Lions are on the clock in all but one mock draft.
Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama (6-0, 175)
Currently being mocked by Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News)
Iyer: “The Lions got a nice closing stretch from Marvin Jones Jr. with Kenny Golladay (hip) on the shelf for most of the season, but Jones is also heading into his age 32 season as a free agent. It makes sense to think about a high-level replacement who can form a great new combination with Golladay for Matthew Stafford (or whoever else might be at QB for a new coach). Smith has picked up from he left off last season to become Heisman Trophy-worthy. He has 105 catches for 1,641 yards and 20 TDs in 12 games this season.”
While Iyer stuck with Smith to Detroit, two other analysts — with Smith off the board in their mocks — stuck with pairing the Lions with a wide receiver but went with Smith’s running mate at Alabama.
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama (5-10, 182)
Currently being mocked by Anthony Treash (PFF) and Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports)
Treash: “Waddle missed most of the 2020 season due to a fractured ankle, but the Bama receiver was truly an explosive play waiting to happen in the four games he appeared in. He generated a Power 5-best 4.68 yards per route run, averaged 10.7 yards after the catch, teamed up for a perfect passer rating of 158.3 on his 29 targets and hauled in 329 deep receiving yards. The latter still ranks 13th among all Power 5 receivers despite appearing just four times all year. Waddle reportedly ran a 4.37 40-yard dash coming out of high school. He is a threat to house it anytime he gets the ball with that speed and explosiveness.”
Trapasso: “The Lions need to address receiver early given the contract status of their wideout room heading into the 2021 offseason. Waddle is as electric as they come and plays bigger than his size.”
The majority of mock drafters this week pivoted to the other side of the ball and connected the Lions with the top defensive player in this draft cycle.
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State (6-2, 245)
Currently being mocked by Dane Brugler (The Athletic), Brentley Weissman (The Draft Network), Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports), Tankathon Staff, and Mike Kaye (NJ.com)
Weissman: “Parsons has rare size and movement skills for the position and can affect the game in every phase. He is a physical downhill backer who has outstanding instincts, speed, and range. He has the versatility to play off the ball, but can also play near the LOS and be used as a rusher.”
Wilson: “Parsons opted out, but he’s another player who didn’t hurt his draft stock by doing so. He might end up being the best standup linebacker to come out in the last 4-5 years.”
Kaye: “The Lions need a new tone-setter on defense. Parsons is a dynamic talent who should make an immediate impact.”
Of Note: Brugler was the only analyst to do a two-round mock draft and while he gave the Lions’ Parsons in the first, he did have the Lions address wide receiver in the next round, pairing them with Rashod Bateman of Minnesota.