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NFL Mock Draft 2018: Full first round – Who’s the Detroit Lions top pick?

By Michael Kirkland

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: Ezekiel Ansah of the BYU Cougars stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders (R) as they hold up a jersey on stage after Ansah was picked #5 overall by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: Ezekiel Ansah of the BYU Cougars stands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (L) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders (R) as they hold up a jersey on stage after Ansah was picked #5 overall by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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Jackson on the run
LEXINGTON, KY – NOVEMBER 25: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats during the game at Commonwealth Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

16. . BUFFALO BILLS (9-7). . Lamar Jackson, QB - Louisville. 21. player

The what-if’s are innumerable, here. Ideally, the Bills, a 2017 playoff team, would sign a quarterback who would improve their offense over former quarterback Tyrod Taylor. However, we have no evidence that they will. If they get a starter like, Case Keenum, for example they still may want to draft a backup and eventual successor.

The Bills have needs up front, defensively and offensively, too. Their linebackers are a weak unit.  They’re in the market for a corner back. After those, providing depth at a bunch of positions is key.

Pretty simply, Jackson is the biggest name on the board, and Buffalo has selected an athlete quarterback, before. Jackson still needs help settling into being an NFL style passer. He is used to letting his legs bail him out of many bad situations. That will not work to the same degree in the NFL, where everyone is much faster. If he cannot make reads and beat teams from the pocket, which he has shown the ability to do, we know that running too much is a recipe for disaster.

Many scouts compare him to Mike Vick, but I do tend to think of him more like Robert Griffin, III. If used properly, and not exposed to too much contact, his skinny frame may develop and keep him healthy enough for a long-term career. If his coach is enamored with running him too much, we know how that usually works out.  Jackson isn’t very thick, but he is an electric play-maker. Thinking of both he and running back, LeSean “Shady” McCoy in the same backfield is scary.

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