Detroit Lions 2018 NFL Draft: 7-Round Mock 4.0

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NEW YORK – APRIL 22: 2010 NFL Draft prospects pose for a group photo with former NFL Players including Jerry Rice, Dan Marino, Lawrence Taylor, Deion Sanders, Joe Montana, Floyd Little, Drew Brees, John Randal and NFL Commissioner during the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 22, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

When the Detroit Lions lost defensive tackle Haloti Ngata for the season after he suffered a bicep injury in Week Five, their defense was never the same. And with Ngata opting to leave Detroit for the green pastures of the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, the Lions have a major need along the interior of their defensive line to fill.

The signing of free agent defensive tackle Sylvester Williams will certainly help. But I doubt Detroit is done addressing this position. They do so here in the fourth round catching a falling Tim Settle out of Virginia Tech.

Settle is a versatile big man who can play the nose in the 3-4 or line up in the 4-3. And considering Matt Patricia dynamic defensive schemes, that’s a trait that has to be very desirable for the Lions. Settle is disruptor and capable of putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks from his position on the interior of the D-Line.

But Settle’s lack of experience, weight concerns and balance issues could have him tumbling down draft boards. If so, the Lions may find themselves a gem of a player in the fourth round.

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