Detroit Lions Draft: Early Seven Round Mock
By Alex Reno
December 1, 2012; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers offensive linesman Quinton Spain (67) blocks against Kansas Jayhawks defensive end Darius Willis (2) during the third quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. The West Virginia Mountaineers won 59-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Round Six
Quinton Spain – Offensive Guard – West Virginia
Strengths:
Spain has the prototypical body type that you want in an offensive guard. If he can get the right hand placement, he can really drive his opponent backwards and punish them in the run game. He has impressive short-area quickness for a man his size.
Though he likely would never play tackle in the NFL, he does have some experience playing over there in college which accounts for his quickness.
Coaches will also love to see that he’s an extremely aggressive blocker and will play all the way until the final whistle.
Weaknesses:
Spain’s hand placement really needs some work. If he cannot get his hands up high and tight, then he has a lot of trouble making up for it which often leads to him falling off his man or getting called for a hold.
He doesn’t appear to be in the fittest shape out there on the field, so I wouldn’t ask him to carry out a second-level block.
How He Fits:
I’ve seen Spain’s draft stock all over the place. He’s been projected as high as a mid-first rounder and some have pegged him as a UDFA. It’s too early to tell where he’ll fall, but right now I see him as a fifth or sixth rounder.
The Lions would be smart to take at least two offensive linemen in this year’s draft. Spain would provide some good depth and be a nice developmental pick for Mayhew.
If offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn can work with Spain and fix some of his mistakes, then he could really be a special player for Detroit.
Game Tape:
Quinton Spain vs. Oklahoma (2014)
For more videos on Quinton Spain, visit Draft Breakdown.