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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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BOISE, ID – DECEMBER 2: Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch #38 of the Boise State Broncos, the Mountain West Defensive Player of the game, talks with Jesse Kurtz at the conclusion of the Mountain West Championship against the Fresno State Bulldogs on December 2, 2017 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game 17-14. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – DECEMBER 2: Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch #38 of the Boise State Broncos, the Mountain West Defensive Player of the game, talks with Jesse Kurtz at the conclusion of the Mountain West Championship against the Fresno State Bulldogs on December 2, 2017 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game 17-14. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /

27. player. 15. . NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (11-5). . L. Vander Esch, LB - Boise St.

The New Orleans Saints are one broken tackle from competing in the NFC Title game. After he heart-breaking loss, the best team from the NFC South must address a shallow linebacker unit, an aging receiver corps, some free agent losses, and need in their offensive line.

The Saints also lack a second round pick to address any concerns. So, this first round pick must hit the biggest need. The linebackers appear to be that need. While there are a few other players that seem to fit the Saints needs, this is both practical and not that far of a reach.

Leighton Vander Esch has good speed for a 6-3, 240 pound ‘backer (4.67 forty). He is versatile and a prospect who made great strides this past year. Not really on the first-round radar in 2016, he has played his way into the conversation. Vander Esch hasn’t played against the best competition, but he looks like a gamer, both physically, and on tape.

I wanted to select Christian Kirk, wide receiver, here, but the Saints just traded away an under six foot speedster, Brandin Cooks, to New England. I don’t know if they feel the need to draft a receiver that high at this point.

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