By now, we have so many mock draft variations in the last few months; we are ready for the real thing to happen finally. With the draft only a handful of days away, experts and analysts finalize their draft boards and take a final stab where players will land, with AJ Schulte from Pro Football Network being the latest with his in-depth 7-round mock draft.
Typically experts keep it as simple as possible considering how exhausting a 7-round mock is, but nobody told Schulte that. He came up with one of the wildest Lions mock drafts out there with not just one trade but three trades when it was all said and done that jump-starts their rebuild in a big way.
1st trade: Philadelphia Eagles send picks 12, 84, 123, and Indianapolis’ conditional second-round pick in 2022 to the Lions in exchange for pick 7, which the Eagles selected OT Penei Sewell
2nd trade: Arizona Cardinals send picks 16 and 49 to the Lions in exchange for pick 12, which the Cardinals picked CB Jaycee Horn.
3rd trade: Cleveland Browns trade WR Jarvis Landry and a fourth-round pick in 2022 to the Lions for pick 112, where the Browns select OG Robert Hainsey.
Now we have all the terms settled and picks selected; here is the Lions full haul.
1st round (16): Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
2nd round (41): Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
2nd round (49): Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa
3rd round (72): Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
3rd round (84): Rashad Weaver, EDGE, Pitt
3rd round (101): Shakur Brown, CB, Michigan State
4th round (123): Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis
5th round (153): Darrick Forrest, S, Cincinnati
Acquired: WR Jarvis Landry, conditional 2022 2nd round pick, and 2022 4th round pick.
It is worth noting the conditional 2022 2nd round pick from the Eagles is from the Carson Wentz trade and could turn into a first-rounder if Wentz plays 75% of the Colts offensive snaps in 2021 or Wentz plays 70% of the Colts offensive snaps in 2021, and the Colts make the playoffs. So in this scenario, the Lions could be walking away with three first-round picks in 2022 if those terms are met.
Bateman is one of the more well-rounded receivers with his savvy route running to create separation no matter where he lines up on the field. He is NFL-built, and if it weren’t for his opt-out, we would be talking about him going higher, but just relying on 2019 tape teams are hesitant. Luckily for the Lions, they get a receiver who can instantly become a feature target and building block for the future.
Davis has seen his draft stock skyrocket after obliterating his Pro Day, showing off his superb athleticism that allows him to cover a lot of ground and wallop the ball carrier. Even though he only has one year of strong production, he has the intangibles you can’t teach and could develop into the Lions next MLB.
Spencer Brown, a natural right tackle, put his name on the map after a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, and then after putting up an insane 4.4 short shuttle at 311 pounds at his Pro Day, he is cementing his name as one of the more athletic tackles to come out of the draft. His consistency may be squirrelly at times, but his ability to mirror defenders will allow him to compete with Tyrell Crosby at right tackle.
Holland can be the next swiss army defender in the Lions arsenal, seeing time at split safety and nickel allowing him to play matchup football, which Dan Campbell looks to implement heavily. Some parts of his game will need some refinement, but he is a ball-hawk (9 ints in college), able to defend the run and pass equally, and his versatility will be heavily welcomed on the Lions defense.
Weaver is a technical pass rusher who wins with his handwork and length, not speed, and can line up inside and outside and create favorable matchups. Shakur Brown is also one of those versatile defenders who can line up outside and inside corner due to his strong instincts and play-making skills. What Forest lacks in size for safety, he more than makes up for it with heart and desire and could go from a key special teams player to a rotational role at safety.
Even though the Lions are all but set at running back this year, general manager Brad Holmes has not shied away from enhancing the room during his time with Rams, and it would show with the Gainwell selection this late in the draft. It might be overkill, but having Swift and Gainwell lined up together will create very favorable matchups as shifty, pass-catching backs giving the offense a new dynamic they can take advantage of.
As for the Landry trade, the Browns are probably not sellers when it comes down to it, but for the sake of the argument, Landry could be that strong veteran presence in the locker room. He can line up inside or outside and would fit right into the culture the new Lions regime is trying to establish in Detroit and be that bridge for the young players walking in.
The Lions were able to grab high character players who have grit, passion for football, a quality Holmes is looking for in players. Even though this mock seems off-the-wall, especially with the number of trades, it paints a picture for potential players the Lions could target and inject young talent in the roster.
