2013 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions Full 7 Round Mock Draft
2013 NFL Draft Detroit Lions Mock
On Thursday April 25th, the 2013 NFL Draft kicks off with the first round. The Detroit Lions will have the fifth overall selection on Thursday. The second two days of the NFL Draft will see the Lions picking seven players with picks in every round, including two in the final seventh round.
The Lions enter the 2013 season with pressing needs at offensive lineman, secondary, and defensive tackle. These needs are the result of retirement and free agents lost in the off-season. I expect the Lions to address all of these needs in the seven rounds over the course of this week. The team will also potentially draft a tight end, wide receiver and punter to strengthen the depth in these key areas.
With the fifth overall pick, the Lions will likely be choosing between an offensive tackle, cornerback, or defensive end. My gut and hope says they will be leaning towards an offensive tackle to replace the retirement of Jeff Backus and departure of Gosder Cherilus.
I also am hoping and predicting that the Lions take some chances with great prospects from small schools in the later rounds. The team did this last year with several late picks that flashed signs of NFL stardom during the 2012 season.
The Lions picks include:
1st Round: #5
2nd Round: #36
3rd Round: #65
4th Round: #132
5th Round: #137
6th Round: #171
7th Round: #211
7th Round: #245
What will the Lions do with their eight picks in the 2013 NFL Draft. Click through the slideshow to find out my selections and an alternate at each pick. Be sure to check out more coverage and prospect profiles throughout the week.
Chris Katje is the featured Detroit Lions writer for Rant Sports. Follow Chris on Twitter or Google Plus.
First Round, Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan University
Eric Fisher
OT
Central Michigan University
The consensus pick for the Detroit Lions at number five seems to be an offensive tackle. I highlighted Fisher in my Senior Bowl write-up. Fisher has gone from first round pick to a pretty much sure thing top five selection. There is actually a chance that Fisher could be gone by the time the Lions pick on Thursday.
Alternate Pick: Lane Johnson, OT, OklahomaSecond Round, Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International
Jonathan Cyprien
S
Florida International
Cyprien jumped out to the Detroit Lions during their time coaching players in the 2013 Senior Bowl. Cyprien attended the same high school that current Lion Louis Delmas did, giving the two safeties an instant connection. The Florida International defensive star has rocketed up draft boards into the first or second round. The Lions need to find a safety or two in this year’s draft and Cyprien may be the best long term option.
Alternate Pick: Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas Pine-Bluff
Third Round, Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
Alex Okafor
DE
Texas
If the Detroit Lions pass on the defensive end position in the first round like I believe they will, I think they will take one in the second or third round. Okafor could actually be one of the best prepared NFL DE prospects in the 2013 NFL Draft. Okafor played four seasons at Texas at the DT and DE position. In 2011, Okafor recorded 58 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbled. During his senior season, Okafor recorded 12.5 sacks. With four years under his belt, Okafor comes in ready to play and could be an immediate starter.
Alternate Pick:Brandon Williams, DT, Missouri Southern
Fourth Round, Khaled Holmes, C, USC
Khaled Holmes
C
USC
The Detroit Lions may spend more than one 2013 NFL Draft pick on the offensive line. The team lost LT Jeff Backus to retirement and guard Gosder Cherilus to free agency. In the 2012 NFL Draft, the team took Riley Reiff to fill one of those potential openings. Center Dominic Raiola is also declining in production and the team could be looking to take their next center. Homes also has experience at the guard position, which could give him the immediate opportunity to compete for a starting position. Holmes was the center for USC quarterback Matt Barkley in high school and college. For the Lions this is a draft as a depth player for the guard spot and see if the potential for everyday center later on is there.
Alternate Pick: William Gholston, DE, Michigan State
Fifth Round, Dion Sims, TE, Michigan State
Dion Sims
TE
Michigan State
The Detroit Lions worked out three tight ends during their allotted 2013 NFL Draft visits. This comes as no surprise as the team will see both current tight ends become free agents at the end of the 2013 NFL season. Both Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler will need impressive seasons for the Lions to keep them. Throwing Sims in for competition or as a third tight end option will help the offensive production.
Alternate Pick: Michael Williams, TE, Alabama
Sixth Round, Will Davis, CB, Utah State
Will Davis
CB
Utah State
Davis is an athletic cornerback prospect I profiled in my Senior Bowl write up. The Detroit Lions have experience with Davis through the Senior Bowl and know what he is capable of. At small Utah State, Davis had interceptions in five straight games. Utah State marks the only place where Davis has had Division I football experience. Davis is a former Division II backup that has moved up onto the Lions radar. Davis could be worth the gamble here in the sixth round.
Alternate Pick: Denard Robinson, WR/RB, Michigan
Seventh Round, Rashaan Melvin, CB, Northern Illinois
CB
Northern Illinois
By the time the second day of the 2013 NFL Draft rolls around, Melvin could actually be a name that shoots up the board. There is expected to be a lot of cornerbacks taken in the first two round, which could leave NFL teams looking for lesser known players later on. Melvin helped put Northern Illinois on the map and become a BCS busting team. In his team’s Orange Bowl appearance, he showcased his talent on national television with 10 tackles and a forced fumble. In 2012, Melvin had 55 tackles and an interception. This followed up an impressive 2011 season where Melvin had 78 tackles and three interceptions. Melvin could be one of the most underrated CBs in the draft.
Alternate Pick: Mark Harrison, WR, Rutgers
Seventh Round, Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State
Brandon Jenkins
DE
Florida State
With their last pick (#245 overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions should take a gamble on Brandon Jenkins. If Jenkins can come back from an injury that cost him the entire 2012 season, the Lions could have a steal. Jenkins number dropped in his junior season at Florida State. In 20122, Jenkins had 41 tackles, including 12 for a loss, and eight sacks. That came after Jenkins’ impressive sophomore season where he had 63 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. That sophomore season earned Jenkins All-ACC honors and consideration for All-American. Hard to believe that a player that once showed that brilliance could be around in the seventh round.
Alternate Pick: Brad Wing, P, LSU
