Most likely for the Lions their pick at 10 in the draft boils down to five players. For the most part it’s a hard pick considering the Lions have needs at almost every position group except QB, OL. Other than that here are the players.
Aaron Donald, DT – Pitt
At 6’1 290lbs Donald checks in as an undersized DT but that’s alright. Donald is an amazing athlete at this position with a 4.68 40 time, 35 reps in the 225 lb bench press and scouts love how he gets off the line and explodes. Donald is also very well conditioned and excels in the interior pass rush while being good against the run. He projects to be an anchor on the 4-3 defensive line with an unnamed AFC executive has calling Donald the best DT prospect in 10 years comparing to John Randle. Now that seems bold and I will not go that far, but I do think Donald will be force inside his first 2 seasons. Before you ask why, this makes sense with Nick Fairley being put on notice with his option for 2015 not picked up and with the uncertain status of Ndamukong Suh’s future with the Lions.
Justin Gilbert, CB – Oklahoma State
Lots of experts like Gilbert here with the word around the draft fodder is Detroit believes Gilbert is a No. 1 corner. He has the speed to run with No. 1 receivers in the NFL and has ideal size and a good combine to go with a good season. He’s also versatile in that he is good against the run, can play bump and run, and off man coverage while also having a good nose for the ball as proven by his 7 interceptions this past season. Most of the knocks on Gilbert are due to a poor junior year in 2012 which he laid to rest by returning for his senior season.
Mike Evans, WR – Texas A&M
First thing’s first, you can’t coach size. There’s no tutoring to make a player 6’5″ and Evans has it. Evans in early mocks was almost a lock to go to Detroit, now after pro day’s and the combine posting a 4.5 40 speed, a 37 inch vertical and a 6’5″ frame Evan’s is on track to bully cornerbacks in the NFL. However if Evans has a knock it’s not getting off snap with explosion. He is a long stride runner meaning he needs a few steps to get to speed. If he is there at No. 10 this is a no brainer for Detroit.
Hasean “HaHa” Clinton-Dix, S – Alabama
He is the best safety prospect in the draft possessing good instincts and can either deliver a the type of hit over the middle that makes a WR think twice or has ball skills to deflect a pass or make a big interception. Clinton-Dix looks for the hit instead of wrapping up at times but it’s nothing coaching can’t fix. He also has ideal size at 6’1″ and 210 lbs. while drawing comparisons to Earl Thomas.
Eric Ebron, TE – North Carolina
From drawing comparisons from Vernon Davis to Brandon Pettigrew, it depends who you talk too. No doubt Ebron is an athlete, the 6’4 250lb TE is a monster. He runs like a receiver and is strong at the line. Can the Lions afford to spend a No. 10 pick on a guy that has questionable hands and at the Lions’ draft position in the first is a project? Sure some of today’s complex offenses like a versatile TE or a 2 TE set. Also can be pushed off his routes, has a high ceiling but a project at isn’t ideal for Detroit.
Sleeper Picks
All five of the above players will have to be off the board at No. 10 to be the Detroit pick. These are the next four picks the Lions will consider. If possible Detroit would like to fall back 5-10 spots acquiring an extra 2nd or 3rd round pick and end up with one of these 4 players.
Kyle Fuller, CB – Virginia Tech
Fuller might have been the best CB in the draft if not for injuries. He’s not the best athlete but is a pure football player and hard worker that plays above his skill set. You can also put questions regarding his lack of speed to bed as Fuller posted a 4.49 forty.
Anthony Barr, OLB – UCLA
Barr is a high risk, high reward guy with some thinking he is the next Demarcus Ware. Others though think he is soft on tape. Nonetheless he will make some team either real happy or some fans really mad. Barr is also fore of an edge rusher as he is only two years into being on the defensive side of the ball. Fifteen reps of 225 lbs. has brought up strength concerns though.
Taylor Lewan, OT – Michigan
The Michigan tackle is wishing he went in last year’s draft, as he has gone from a for sure top 10 maybe top 5 pick to a guy that could go anywhere from No. 6 to No. 20. He has off field concerns that scare teams, with fighting fans and questionable actions involving a teammate that resulting in a late suspension said player. He has anchored the LT spot for Michigan but his senior year didn’t go as planned.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR – LSU
Has there been a player on a faster rise? OBJ has gone from a mid 2nd rounder to a possible No. 10 selection. Sure he is 5’11, but has an awesome vertical (38.5) to pair with breakaway speed (4.4/40). Some might see a poor man’s Sammy Watkins but make no mistake he is an excellent route runner and he may be Watkins’ equal when we look back.
All and all, Detroit can’t go too wrong, they might shy away from a cornerback seeing the stable of young guys they have at the position. (Bentley, Slay, Green, Greenwood) Also Detroit has brought back Rashean Mathis, but you cannot eliminate the idea at CB with Chris Houston’s uncertainy. I couldn’t justify putting Sammy Watkins, Khalil Mack, or Jadeveon Clowney in the breakdown as all three are unlikely to make it past number No. 5 and I don’t see Detroit as a real candidate to trade up into the top 5. Now if Sammy Watkins is by some miracle is there at No. 6 as told by ESPN’s John Clayton, it is possible Atlanta might be willing to deal with Detroit and pick up an extra pick taking Donald at No. 10.