One last Detroit Lions mock draft before some NFL virtual reality
By Robert Jones
More defensive help is on the way
In the second round, you might note that I continued the defensive theme. Anyone who watched the Detroit Lions defense last season understands how much they needed help. And help is on the way.
The defensive line is still a little thin and talented bodies are needed. Ross Blackstock fits the bill. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound former Horned Frog has the ability to make plays. He has an outstanding burst and will definitely be able to push the pocket. The straightest line to opposing quarterbacks is up the middle and Blackstock will fit the bill.
Platooning with Danny Shelton, Nick Williams, and Da’Shawn Hand who can move inside on passing downs, Blackstock gives the Lions more depth as well as a high motor player who could develop into a very good interior play-maker for a defense in need of them.
Games are won on the line and as you’ll see, my draft will reflect that need for the Lions to get better in the trenches.
With the first additional pick we acquired from the Chargers, I selected Josh Uche. In my opinion, Uche is one of the more overlooked players in the draft. The incredibly athletic former Michigan defensive end was moved to outside linebacker at the Senior Bowl by Matt Patricia and the Lions coaching staff and he never looked out of place the whole week.
He also had an outstanding game as he provided consistent pressure off the edge. As a matter of fact, his only mistake the whole week was when he got to Herbert the first time and just tagged him instead of gathering the sack. A mistake I’m sure he won’t make again.
This pick does two positive things for the Lions defense. It adds a player with good bend who can provide consistent pressure off the edge, whether in a three-point or two-point stance and also allows free-agent acquisition, Jamie Collins, to move inside. This should strengthen the linebacker play in general and Matt Patricia can now use Jarrad Davis in more of a specialty role as a pass-rusher which has so far been his biggest strength.