Detroit Lions 7-round mock draft: Going (mostly) on the defensive

Credit: Chris Gardner/Getty Images
Credit: Chris Gardner/Getty Images
2 of 5
Detroit Lions, Malik Willis
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

First Round

Yep, I did it (again). The Lions don’t feel desperate in their search for a quarterback of the future, but if they do take one this year Willis’ upside is worth chasing. They’ve also done plenty of work with him, from the Senior Bowl to his Pro Day to a visit coming this week, and Willis has done all he can to pass every pre-draft test.

If the Lions love Willis, taking him at No. 2 is not out of the realm of possibility. They just have to be right, or they’ll set their rebuild back.

Lloyd has a case as the best off the ball linebacker in this draft, and based on that he’s widely being projected go higher than No. 32 (even top-10 for some people). But it’s not a stretch to think he could fall a bit, and when he did in this mock spin I jumped at it. In reality, the Lions could trade up for him if does fall into the 20s.

Lloyd is a force all over the field, with 111 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, seven sacks, four interceptions and six pass breakups last season for the Utes.

Detroit needs a talent influx and upgrade at linebacker, and the 2021 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year clearly fits that bill.

Schedule