SideLion Report
FanSided

Lions Take DE Pat O’Connor in the Seventh Round

By Matt Urben

Jan 20, 2017; Carson, CA, USA; National Team kicker Miles Bergner (16) hits a field goal past American Team defensive end Pat O'Connor (52) in the first half of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl game at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2017; Carson, CA, USA; National Team kicker Miles Bergner (16) hits a field goal past American Team defensive end Pat O'Connor (52) in the first half of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl game at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

With their final pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions selected Eastern Michigan defensive end, Pat O’Connor. It’s the second defensive lineman the Lions acquired in the draft, and while he may not be a known commodity, O’Connor was very successful last season at E.M.U.

Pat O’Connor – Eastern Michigan

Jan 20, 2017; Carson, CA, USA; National Team kicker Miles Bergner (16) hits a field goal past American Team defensive end Pat O’Connor (52) in the first half of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl game at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2017; Carson, CA, USA; National Team kicker Miles Bergner (16) hits a field goal past American Team defensive end Pat O’Connor (52) in the first half of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl game at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Position: Defensive End

Size: 6-foot-4, 270 lbs

Why He Makes Sense For Detroit: The local kid was someone the Lions obviously liked when they saw him work out in Ann Arbor. Although he was projected as a possible undrafted free agent, O’Connor has a good motor and the Lions felt he was worthy of their final draft pick.

Last season, he had 42 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss for Eastern Michigan. In 2016, the Lions got decent production out of Anthony Zettel, a late-round pick out of Penn State. O’Connor adds depth that Detroit sorely needs along their defensive front. Even if he doesn’t make an impact right away, with a few seasons to develop, he could be a contributor down the line.

“The 6-foot-4, 277-pounder logged pro day results of 17 bench press reps, a 31.5-inch vertical leap and a broad jump of 9-foot-6,” Tony Pauline told Rotoworld.

Watch highlights of O’Connor at Eastern Michigan below.

-Like the SLR Facebook Page and Follow Matt on Twitter @MattUrben88. Stay tuned to SideLion Report for more day three NFL Draft coverage.

Next: Lions Draft Jalen Reeves-Maybin – LB

Home/Lions Draft