The Detroit Lions have drafted a certain position in the first round in the past, even in the top-10, but a ridiculous new mock draft somehow has them doing so again this year.
In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions took T.J. Hockenson eighth overall. The intelligence of taking a tight end in the top-10 can be debated, if not outright mocked.
But as Lions fans know, that was not the only time they’ve taken a tight end in the top-10 (Eric Ebron, No. 10 in 2013) or the first round (Brandon Pettigrew, No. 20 in 2009) in somewhat recent memory.
With needs on the defense, and elsewhere beyond that to use their second first-round pick on this year, there’s no way a tight end is on their radar in the first round, right? That’s not to say they don’t need better talent at the position, just that a first-round pick is not happening.
Well, a recent mock draft thinks otherwise. Bold, stupid, ridiculous, you can choose the adjective you want. I choose ridiculous.
Detroit Lions go first-round tight end in ridiculous mock draft
Ryan Roberts of Bleav had a new, revised 2023 mock draft on Thursday, and here’s the top-10.
The deadline for declaring has come and gone, and @RiseNDraft has a few changes in his latest Mock Draft.
— Bleav (@BleavNetwork) January 19, 2023
(presented by @betonline_ag) pic.twitter.com/Khe8FJiZJN
Yes, that’s Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer at No. 6 to the Lions. Mayer may be a first-round pick in April, so it’s not a knock on his talent, but the odds he goes top-10 feel very slim. The odds the Lions take him sixth overall feel like slim-to-none, and slim is barely hanging on.
It has to be noted, based on his Twitter bio, that Roberts’ primary job is Director of Recruiting for Irish Breakdown, an SI.com property. He’s also a draft analyst on multiple platforms, but putting Mayer at No. 6 in this new mock draft reeks of seeing some things through Fighting Irish-colored glasses.
To see a samping of the online reaction to the Lions taking Mayer in this mock, visit SI.com’s Lions site. It is as expected.
There’s something to be said for having a unique or bold take, even if it ruffles the feathers of fans to the point they might call you names on social media. So due credit to Roberts there. But this one just stretches a little too far.