The Detroit Lions landing a wide receiver with their second first-round pick in a mock draft, and ultimately in the draft, is not a fresh idea. But in a recent mock, the one they get is new.
With two first-round picks coming in April, the Detroit Lions can go a lot of different directions with that second Day 1 pick (which will now be no higher than No. 29 overall). Certainly, a wide receiver will be in play with that pick if the draft board falls that way.
In his recent mock, Bryan Perez of The Draft Network did not re-invent the wheel for the Lions with the No. 2 overall pick. Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was the guy, with Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux gone No. 1 to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Detroit’s second first-round pick, courtesy of the Los Angeles Rams of course, would be No. 31 if the draft were today.
Detroit Lions land a new wide receiver in mock draft
Depending on the week or the mock drafter, the Lions have gotten wide receivers Chris Olave (Ohio State), Treylon Burks (Arkansas), David Bell (Purdue), Jahan Dotson (Penn State), etc. with that second first-round pick. But Perez had a new one.
"Lions- Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio StateThe Lions could go quarterback here, but I think Jared Goff did enough at the end of the season to give Detroit another year before they have to focus on an upgrade. And by adding a receiver like Wilson, they’ll give that next quarterback a fantastic young duo of pass-catchers in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Wilson, who’ll bring big-time field-flipping ability to the Motor City."
Wilson is widely projected to not last past the top 15-20 picks in April’s draft, let alone all the way to No. 31. He had a breakout season in 2021 at Ohio State, with 70 catches for 1,058 yards (15.1 yards a catch) and 12 touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown.
He is considered a little raw, but Wilson is a multi-level weapon who is a threat after the catch on shorter throws with the ability to separate downfield. The Lions can certainly use someone like that.
In Perez’s scenario Wilson is the fourth wide receiver drafted in the first round, after Burks (No. 13), Drake London (No. 18) and Olave (No. 21), and just before Jameson Williams. If Wilson really falls to the Lions, with obviously a lot to be determined, they’ll probably jump at the opportunity.