Detroit Lions full first-round mock draft; What about round two?

Detroit Lions offense

If we assume that pick one is a defender of some kind, there is the possibility that the Lions look at an offensive player in round two. While we would put offensive players at a lower priority in general, the opportunity could arise and the Detroit Lions have plenty of concerns on offense.

Running back or quarterback

Let’s address the elephant in the room, in this scenario, we didn’t do anything shocking and that has left some players on the board that would interest any team. The Lions signed a competent backup quarterback, which doesn’t solve any issues long-term but hasn’t yet signed another runner, a much more present need.

We wouldn’t be the only team looking at the available running backs and deciding to pull the trigger if the Lions looked to grab a top option. Assuming that we wouldn’t get the top option, Jonathon Taylor, the Lions might have the option of selecting D’Andre Swift or J.K. Dobbins.

The NFL has devalued the running back position, so teams don’t need players who can carry the ball 300-400 times a season. However, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is a guy who likes a run game to complement his passing game. Swift is a 5-foot-8, 212-pound thumper with 4.48 speed in the 40-yard dash.

Starter Kerryon Johnson hasn’t stayed healthy and the Lions offense has stalled while looking for a credible threat to take his place when he has left the game. Swift would be a huge upgrade as a number two, with the potential to become the number one if Johnson’s injuries persist.

While we don’t expect the Detroit Lions to select another quarterback quite this early, if Josh Love or Jacob Eason were there when they made their second pick, it would be tempting to lock up a future starter or highly-tradable commodity like a young signal-caller.

If we were to select Eason, who is a 6-foot-6, 231-pound player with a big arm who has played a good amount of football at both Georgia and Washington. While we wouldn’t assume that Matthew Stafford will retire in the next few years, the question is do you want to wait until he announces his retirement before drafting another option? Picking Eason as one of their nine picks prepares the team for the future or for a situation where Stafford continues to have issues with his back, which he says are behind him.