Mock drafts are everywhere right now, and the majority of them have the Detroit Lions taking either Jeffery Okudah, Chase Young, Derrick Brown, or Isaiah Simmons with their first pick.
After a while, the mundanity can set in seeing the same few players getting slated to the Lions, so we at Lions Wire decided to add a twist to traditional mock drafts by introducing a series of mock drafts that select prospects exclusively from one school.
We kicked off things off and visited the University of Michigan. Now we will take things a little south and stop at Ohio State University for our next visit.
Round 1/2
I know I am cheating a little combining the first and second, but at this point, Okudah and Young have been mocked several times to the Lions, as mentioned. They have been talked about so extensively we know what kind of players the Lions will get if they drafted them in the first round.
There are two prospects the Lions could be looking at with their second-round pick, and depending on whom they select in the first could dictate whom they tag as their second-round pick, either cornerback Damon Arnette or running back J.K. Dobbins.
Arnette maybe getting overshadowed by his teammate, Okduah, through the draft process, but Arnette offers quite a package for what may consider a consolidation prize of Ohio State cornerbacks. Arnette has the versatility to play in multiple techniques because of his physicality in press coverage and his patience in off-press coverage. The Lions value cornerbacks who have strong tackling ability, as well as, the ability can contribute in run support, and he is one of the better cornerbacks in this draft who can provide those types of attributes.
Dobbins is your definition of a bell-cow running back who has enjoyed massive success while at Ohio State. Over three seasons, he has amassed over 4,400 yards while also tallying 545 receiving yards, showing his versatility as a three-down back. His toughness, elite patience, and vision were always on display breaking 73 tackles, en route to 21 touchdowns. Because of his high usage, most teams are going to be hesitant to take him with a high draft pick leading to possible draft fall even though his talent is first-round worthy.
It should speak to how strong this Ohio State draft class when the Lions have a plethora of options at their disposal this early in the draft. Now, if the Lions take Okduah in the first, they will probably pass on Arnette and go with Dobbins with their second pick. If the Lions select Young, that is where things may get exciting either go with Arnette to fill CB2 or go with Dobbins and create a potent one-two punch with Kerryon Johnson.
For this exercise, I have the Lions selecting Young and go with Arnette in the second to shore up the vacant spot opposite of Darius Slay.
Round 3
The third round has a couple of prospects that may intrigue the Lions on each side of the ball, linebacker Malik Harrison and wide receiver K.J. Hill.
Harrison’s game is much like Jarrad Davis in most aspects, so take that with what you will. Harrison possesses the intelligence to read offenses allowing him to use his physicality and high motor to attack the play, which accounted for his 16.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks this past season. He always seems to be making the play or at least close to the action. He does lack flexibility and coverage skills, which will hinder his every-down availability, and in turn, could hurt his draft stock.
The Lions could use Harrison like they use Davis, allowing him to move around the defense, shoot gaps, blitz the quarterback, or drop into coverage. By using both Harrison and Davis, the Lions could keep offenses guessing, bringing different looks as to who is doing what on the play.
K.J. Hill has caught the eyes of Lions fans after an impressive Senior Bowl, allowing him to showcase his ability as a slot receiver, an area the Lions might be looking to improve with Danny Amendola hitting free agency. Not only has he caught the eyes of the Lions, but other teams as well leading to heightened draft stock. Hill is one of the more impressive route runners in this draft class. With his elusiveness, YAC ability, and consistent production, he would fit right in with the Lions.
Because Hill’s draft stock rising, and the lack of quality linebackers in this draft, the Lions may only get one of these two prospects. The majority of fans would have no hesitation taking Hill at this point, but I am going to go against the grain and take Harrison with the third-round pick. Harrison’s versatility will allow the Lions to bring different looks to this defense with Davis and could cause offenses fits, and that could be fun to watch.
Round 4
With the potential departure of hometown staple Graham Glasgow, along with Kenny Wiggins and Oday Aboushi hitting free agency, the Lions have a strong need for an interior offensive lineman. Usually, this late in the draft, you probably will not find a player who could start early on, but guard Jonah Jackon does not fall in that norm.
Jackson was an integral part of an Ohio State’s interior offensive line, which some might have considered one of the best in college football, helping pave the way for Dobbins’ monster season. Jackson enjoyed a career resurgence as a graduate transfer from Rutgers to Ohio State this past season, and he was able to take full advantage of the opportunity and helped put his name on the map as one of better interior offensive lineman in this draft.
Jackson was already known to have strong pass protection abilities before he left Rutgers. However, at Ohio State, he was able to enhance his game further by becoming a dominant run blocker as well. You probably will not find a more athletic guard in this draft, with the way he can move players, layout pancake blocks, and agile enough to get the second level. He is a high character, athletic player who can immediately take hold of the vacant guard spot and bring a strong element next to Frank Ragnow.
Round 5
The Lions interior defensive line is in flux right now with A’Shawn Robinson and Mike Daniels hitting free agency, and the possible retirement of Damon Harrison, the Lions would be wise to draft a player(s) to plug up those gaps. Likely for them, they could select Davon Hamilton in the fifth round and could easily slide in with what the Lions look for from their defensive linemen.
Hamilton is like Da’Sahwn Hand, a versatile player who has the ability and efficiency to play from 0-tech to 5-tech. With his high intelligence, ever going motor, stable vision, and play strength, he can cause chaos to the offense. He also has fantastic gap discipline and run-stuffing ability, both areas the Lions covet.
He may not have the numbers some teams may look for, 66 career tackles and only one season as a starter, but look whom he was playing with — the Bosa brothers, Dre’Mont Jones, and Chase Young — and there are only so many snaps that can around leading to more a rotational role for Hamilton. The Lions will be getting a reliable, lengthy, disruptive versatile lineman on Day 3 of the draft who will fit well with the Lions multiple defensive schemes.
Round 5 (2nd selection)
The Lions have invested a ton in the safety position the last two years with the selections of Tracy Walker and Will Harris, both in the third round. However, the way the Lions run their defense with multiple safeties sets, expect them to invest more into that spot. With their second fifth-round pick, there is a Buckeye safety ripe for the picking that can find a role in this defense, Jordan Fuller.
When the Buckeyes implemented a new defensive scheme, Fuller switched from a hybrid role to exclusively single high safety. For all intents and purposes, he was solid in that role. The Buckeyes were awarded for one of the better coverage safeties in this draft and recorded six combined interceptions and pass breakups, showing he has the ball skills to man the deep part of the field. Even though his tackling leaves something to be desired, it is something that can easily be coached and should not be the nail in the coffin of his draft status.
With Miles Killebrew hitting free agency, Fuller could fill in the spot on defense and special teams. A versatile player who could line up almost anywhere in the deep areas of the field and solid special teams player is right up the Lions’ alley. On top of it, he is a two-time captain and high character individual, something the Lions value in their players. Fuller checks all the right boxes and could be a diamond of the rough this late in the draft for Detroit.
Round 6
Even though the Lions could not land K.J. Hill earlier in the draft, there is another Buckeye receiver who could fit the bill this late in the draft, Binjimen Victor. Victor processes the frame — 6-3, and 196 pounds measured at the East-West Shrine game — necessary to handle the daily grind of the NFL.
Between his excellent athleticism, length, separation ability, and large catch radius, he can consistently win any contested-catch, making him a robust vertical threat, an area the Lions often used this past season. He may not be the fastest player on the field but does have strong hands in not only high point catches, but also run blocking, which is an area the Lions love in their receivers.
He may have left people asking more from him, but considering whom he played behind, Hill, Parris Campbell, and Terry McLaurin there are only so many targets to go around. He was able to put substantial numbers though recording 1,340 yards and 18 touchdowns in his Buckeye career, with six of those touchdowns coming this past year. What teams are going to get from Victor is a receiver with an outstanding catch radius, strong hands, and physical length and body, and smooth route running, who could plug in in mostly any receiver spot and be a major red-zone threat.
With a high potential need for receivers for the Lions, Victor could be worth a late flyer and could develop into a productive receiver just like his old teammate McLaurin.
Summary
Here is how the draft would shape up for the Lions:
1st- Chase Young
2nd- Damon Arnette
3rd- Malik Harrison
4th- Jonah Jackson
5th- Davon Hamilton
5th- Jordan Fuller
6th- Binjimen Victor
This draft could go several ways, which says a great deal to the quality of talent Ohio State regularly shores out yearly and is a credit to former head coach Urban Meyer recruited. Young will immediately transform the defense; Arnette provides a quality CB2. Harrison brings the traits the Lions look for in their linebackers, Hamilton and Jackson shore up the holes on their respective lines, Fuller is a hybrid player who can line up anywhere deep, and Victor can play mostly any receiver spot. All of them are high quality, intelligent characters who are ready to learn, features the Lions highly desire in their players. Do not be surprised if the Lions pull the trigger on any of the listed players.
