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Detroit Lions New Year’s resolution: Fix run game and offensive line

By Michael Kirkland

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 31: Ameer Abdullah #21 of the Detroit Lions celebrates his touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 31: Ameer Abdullah #21 of the Detroit Lions celebrates his touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Decker drafted
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 28: (L-R) Taylor Decker of Ohio State holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #16 overall by the Detroit Lions during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /

Early Round Candidates

Chukwuma Okorafor is a 6’6″, 330 pound lineman out of Western Michigan who might fall to Round Two. “Chukes”, as he prefers to be called according to NFL Draft Scout, is from Michigan. Originally from Botswana, Okorafor has the physical traits to play both outside and inside. Scouts question his intensity, but not his long arms, which is a valuable trait for an outside lineman.

After Round Two, the Lions have many players who could fit the bill. Looking at the field of prospects, the Lions may find an interior player who can slide out to tackle as late as their fifth round pick.

They could elect to try to wait until after the draft, and try to bring in an undrafted player, but that is much riskier. No competent left tackle after Decker, and his injuries, have made this a priority.

More realistic candidates

A few names and why they might fit in Detroit:

Martez Ivey, G/T, 6’5″, 315, Florida: Played left tackle in college, but doesn’t have ideal quickness for an edge blocker. Ivey could learn or improve once he has experience. Ivey’s stock could take him off the board too quickly, though.

Tyrell Crosby, OT, 6’5″, 320, Oregon: Another experienced left tackle who may translate better inside in the NFL. He’s big and athletic, and has long arms, although his motor is a question mark to scouts. Crosby is a fourth round prospect, roughly, well within the Lions budget.

Brandon Parker, OT, 6’6″, 308, North Carolina A&T: I like guys with leadership and results on top of good measurables. Big and quick, with numerous awards and two titles as a small school prospect. Parker’s Fifth Round price tag could be just right.

Jake Campos, OT, 6’7″, 300, Iowa State: Campos is a left tackle, but at a smaller school. He has the right size to possibly develop. His estimated 5.21 forty time and results helping his team suggest that Campos is both quick and can play. His team beat Oklahoma. The price tag could be a seventh, very feasible if the Lions were to trade down at any point in the draft.

Next: Why Derrius Guice is the perfect fit for the Motor City

What did I miss? What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments! As always, thanks for reading! Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @mkirk2 !

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