Detroit Lions 7-round mock draft: Narrowing down a wide range of outcomes
Second Round
Arkansas. Drew Sanders. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 50. LB. 48
Sanders transferred from Alabama to Arkansas in 2022 in search of a better opportunity, and he definitely found it. He was an all-around force for the Razorbacks last season (103 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, five pass breakups and three forced fumbles, as he was used as a multi-faceted chess piece by defensive coordinator Barry Odom . He finished 10th in FBS in sacks, and third in the SEC in tackles
Sanders is a potental first round pick, but he fell here so I took him with little hesitation.. The “only one year as a starter” thing does not hold up to real scrutiny, considering where he started his college career.
The Lions could use another talented young linebacker to pair with Malcolm Rodriguez, and Sanders’ versatility would be welcome addition the their defense.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. DE. 50. USC. Tuli Tuipolotu. 55. player
Many Lions’ fans will go “edge rusher, really?” But Tuipolotu is coming off a huge final season at USC, as he led the PAC-12 in sacks (13.5, also led FBS) and tackles for loss (22). He may seem a little light to line up on the inside (266 pounds), but he played across the defensive front for the Trojans and was effective. He also gets mentioned for having a high motor, something the Lions will surely love.
Third Round
Scouting Report. TE. South Dakota State. 50. Pick Analysis. Tucker Kraft. 81. player
The Lions should be on the lookout for a talent upgrade at tight end, and that idea now shifts toward the draft. It’s easy to dismiss the idea, given how good the offense was last season after T.J. Hockenson was traded, but looking beyond 2023 tight end is a need–even if it’s hard to get on board with the idea the Lions could use a first-round pick on one.
Kraft only played six games in his last season at South Dakota State, but he appears healthy now based on showings at the NFL Combine and his Pro Day. He had a nice 2021 campaign for the Jack Rabbits (65 catches for 770 yards, six touchdowns).
There’s a lot of projection in regard to how good Kraft can be at the next level, but there are intriguing traits here and the Lions can easily see him as their TE1–perhaps fairly quickly.