Laquon Treadwell and 4 Other Prospects Detroit Lions Should Target In 2016 NFL Draft

By Brad Berreman

A slow start derailed the Detroit Lions from the start last season, but they did win six of their last eight games to salvage a 7-9 record. They have multiple areas of need, so here are five prospects the Lions should target in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Laquon Treadwell and 4 Other Prospects Detroit Lions Should Target In 2016 NFL Draft
← Tip: Use keyboard arrows to navigate →

5. Ole Miss OT Fahn Cooper

Ole Miss OT Fahn Cooper Credit: Joe Murphy Getty Images
With linemate Laremy Tunsil slated to be a top-five pick, and quite possibly No. 1 overall, Cooper is under the radar. He is a right tackle by trade, which fits a need for the Lions, but Cooper also filled in capably at left tackle when Tunsil was suspended last season.

5. Ole Miss OT Fahn Cooper

With linemate Laremy Tunsil slated to be a top-five pick, and quite possibly No. 1 overall, Cooper is under the radar. He is a right tackle by trade, which fits a need for the Lions, but Cooper also filled in capably at left tackle when Tunsil was suspended last season.

4. Penn State DE Anthony Zettel

Penn State DE Anthony Zettel Credit: Jamie Sabau Getty Images
After an All-Big Ten campaign in 2014 (eight sacks, 17 tackles for loss), Zettel fell off last season (three sacks and 10 tackles for loss). The death of his father early in the season could have been a factor in that drop-off, but the Lions need help at the end spot opposite Ziggy Ansah, and Zettel looks like a potential steal.

4. Penn State DE Anthony Zettel

After an All-Big Ten campaign in 2014 (eight sacks, 17 tackles for loss), Zettel fell off last season (three sacks and 10 tackles for loss). The death of his father early in the season could have been a factor in that drop-off, but the Lions need help at the end spot opposite Ziggy Ansah, and Zettel looks like a potential steal.

3. Alabama CB Cyrus Jones

Alabama CB Cyrus Jones Credit: Tom Pennington Getty Images
Darius Slay is locked in at one corner spot, but otherwise Detroit looks particularly thin at the position if Rashean Mathis retires or is cut. Jones was rated well by Pro Football Focus in coverage (No. 12) and against the run (No. 7) among draft-eligible corners last season, and he also adds value as a return man.

3. Alabama CB Cyrus Jones

Darius Slay is locked in at one corner spot, but otherwise Detroit looks particularly thin at the position if Rashean Mathis retires or is cut. Jones was rated well by Pro Football Focus in coverage (No. 12) and against the run (No. 7) among draft-eligible corners last season, and he also adds value as a return man.

2. Arizona LB Scooby Wright

Arizona LB Scooby Wright Credit: Christian Petersen Getty Images
After a huge sophomore season in 2014, Wright's 2015 campaign was derailed by knee and foot issues. I think he should have returned to Tucson for his senior season, but the Lions need to add talent to their linebacker group and Wright is a potential first-round talent who should be available in the third or fourth round.

2. Arizona LB Scooby Wright

After a huge sophomore season in 2014, Wright's 2015 campaign was derailed by knee and foot issues. I think he should have returned to Tucson for his senior season, but the Lions need to add talent to their linebacker group and Wright is a potential first-round talent who should be available in the third or fourth round.

1. Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell

Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell Credit: Chris Grayten Getty Images
If Calvin Johnson follows through and retires, the Lions would be in the market for a new No. 1 wide receiver. The free agent market does not look fruitful for that pursuit, so a trade up from No. 16 overall to get Treadwell would be well worth it for new Detroit general manager Bob Quinn.

1. Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell

If Calvin Johnson follows through and retires, the Lions would be in the market for a new No. 1 wide receiver. The free agent market does not look fruitful for that pursuit, so a trade up from No. 16 overall to get Treadwell would be well worth it for new Detroit general manager Bob Quinn.

Share On FacebookShare StumbleUpon

You May Also Like