Over the last several days I had the opportunity to take part in #MockSix, the sixth mock draft of this draft cycle on mockone.net. I had the responsibility of serving as the GM of the Lions while 31 other football fans manned the draft reins for the other NFL teams.
The process just wrapped up last night leaving each team with a full seven round mock draft including compensatory picks. Keep in mind that the following picks were made based on an actual mock draft controlled by 32 different users leaving my draft board at the mercy of others. You can see the full results at mockone.net.
Here we go…
Oct 27, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Ezekiel Ansah (right) prepares to sack Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Tevin Washington (13) during the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Josh D. Weiss-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1, Pick 5 (5 Overall)
Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
The Lions war room targeted Eric Fisher in pre-draft prep but knew that he may not be available. Ansah was the number one alternative and has the ability to contribute right away while holding the potential to growing into a dominant member of the Lions defensive line.
Nov 17, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Justin Hunter (11) makes a reception against Vanderbilt Commodores corner back Trey Wilson (8) during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium. The Commodores beat the Volunteers 41-18. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-US Presswire
Round 2, Pick 4 (36 Overall)
Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
The Lions selecting another wide receiver is sure to bring on some jokes but the fact is it is still a position of need. Teams looking for Justin Hunter to come in and be Julio Jones or A.J. Green may be disappointed but the Lions just need him to be that secondary threat on the outside opposite Calvin Johnson.
November 24, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins cornerback Sheldon Price (22) looks on as Stanford Cardinal tight end Zach Ertz (86) catches a pass in the fourth quarter of the game at the Rose Bowl. Stanford won 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Round 3, Pick 3 (65 Overall)
Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
What is more surprising, the Lions picking Ertz or Ertz still available in the third round? We say the latter and make the value pick. Brandon Pettigrew hasn’t proven to be special and he and Tony Scheffler will be free agents after the 2013 season. The Lions could allow Ertz to get his feet wet in 2013 before taking on a big role in 2014.
Jan 22, 2013; Mobile AL, USA; Senior Bowl north squad defensive back Dwayne Gratz of Connecticut (27) goes up to intercept a pass intended for wide receiver Aaron Mellette of Elon (33) during practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Round 4, Pick 35 (132 Overall)
Dwayne Gratz, CB, UConn
After adding three corners through the draft a year ago, we’re adding Dwayne Gratz to the mix this year with the expectation that the young mix of talent will lead to at least a couple solid contributors. He comes in with a lot of experience at the college level and an adequate mix of size and speed for being a late fourth round pick.
Dec 01, 2012; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Tony Jefferson (1) tackles TCU Horned Frogs running back Aundre Dean (30) during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Round 5, Pick 4 (137 Overall)
Tony Jefferson, S, Oklahoma
The starters are set with Louis Delmas and Glover Quin but the Lions would benefit from added depth. The Lions have to be prepared for the chance that Delmas will never make it through an entire season healthy and this is a good draft to take a safety prospect. Jefferson can do a little bit of everything as a safety and represents good value at this point.
Sep 3, 2011; Arlington, TX, USA; LSU Tigers guard T-Bob Hebert (53) and tackle Chris Faulk (76) block against Oregon Ducks defensive end Terrell Turner (45) at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Round 6, Pick 3 (171 Overall)
Chris Faulk, OT, LSU
The war room liked Faulk’s value here as an early-round talent hurt by injury concerns. He’s worth a gamble with a sixth round pick. It is tough to find a player that could one day be a starting left tackle at this point in the draft, but Faulk is one if he can max out his potential.
Sept 8, 2012; Starkville, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Kiehl Frazier (10) is hit by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Josh Boyd (97) at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce DerdenUSA TODAY Sports
Round 7, Pick 5 (211 Overall)
Josh Boyd, DT, Mississippi State
The loss of Sammie Hill via free agency hurts a little less with the addition of Josh Boyd as a late round pick. The Lions have some playing time available for a fourth defensive tackle but Boyd won’t have to be counted on early in his career. This could be a great situation for both Boyd and the Lions in both the short-term and the long-term as Boyd may be able to grow into a bigger role at just the time the Lions have one come available.
Sept 3, 2011; Houston, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins punter Jeff Locke (18) punts against the Houston Cougars during the first quarter at Robertson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
Round 7, Pick 39 (245 Overall)
Jeff Locke, P, UCLA
Much is expected of the Lions offense but not every possession will be a scoring drive. With the leg of Locke, each drive holds the potential to at least change the field position battle. He is also a strong option to handle kickoff duties with the Lions breaking in a new kicker for the first time in more than two decades. Hey, punters are people too.
So there it is Lions fans, our haul from #MockSix. I want to thank Dean Holden, Stefan Spurlock and Braden Shackelford for being part of the war room. I think we ended up with a draft Lions fans should be happy with but hey, I’m obviously biased. Here is your chance to have your say – vote in the poll below to give our effort a grade and feel free to leave a comment with what you like, what you don’t like and what you would have done differently.