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Detroit Lions 2018 NFL Draft: Full seven round mock

By Tredell Suber

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Lorenzo Carter #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after blocking the field goal attempt from Austin Seibert #43 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Lorenzo Carter #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after blocking the field goal attempt from Austin Seibert #43 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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ALLEN PARK, MI – MAY 17: Travis Swanson #64 of the Detroit Lions watches the drills during the Rookie Minicamp on May 17, 2014 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ALLEN PARK, MI – MAY 17: Travis Swanson #64 of the Detroit Lions watches the drills during the Rookie Minicamp on May 17, 2014 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Seventh Round Selection

Will Clapp, Center, LSU

Travis Swanson’s remaining time as Detroit’s starting center is up in the air. Graham Glasgow logged time at both center and guard last season.

In the event that Swanson departs from Detroit, Glasgow could bump inside and play center or play at guard.

LSU’s Will Clapp also has that same flexibility to play effectively at center or guard.

Clapp has impressive NFL size, good strength, and a mentality of hard work and determination. He is also a highly intelligent football player who can withstand the physical rigors of playing on the offensive line.

A potential starting line of Taylor Decker, Will Clapp, Glasgow, TJ Lang, and Rick Wagner could be a formidable layer of protection for Matthew Stafford.

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

Final Analysis

In my mind, a good mock draft addresses team needs and finds common ground between best player available and team need, and that’s exactly what I tried to do here.

I went heavy on the defense in this mock. I did so primarily because the Lions could stand to develop more playmakers on that side of the ball.

Offensively, the Lions are a decent run game away from being truly scary. Healthy blockers and Rashaad Penny could truly be the difference between a 9-7 season and no playoffs to a 10-6 season (or better) and a postseason berth.

Detroit really shouldn’t have to do much tinkering in order to get themselves over the hump. The new approach being brought in by the Quinn/Patricia regime could lead towards a new reality for the Lions.

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