Detroit Lions 7-round mock draft: After the Jeff Okudah trade

Second Round

Wide receiver is definitely down on the list of draft needs for the Detroit Lions. But beyond 2023, only Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are under contract with any sort of a firm hold on a role. Taking a wide receiver at some point in this year’s should happen, it’s just a matter of where.

Tillman’s final season at Tennessee was limited to six games by a left ankle injury that eventually required surgery, but he had 37 receptions for 417 yards and three touchdowns in those contests. In 2021 he had 64 catches for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns, highlighted by nice games against Alabama (seven catches for 152 yards and a touchdown) and Georgia (10 catches for 200 yards and a touchdown).

Tillman has the size (6-foot-3, 213 pounds), competitive demeanor and skill set to be a very good NFL starter. The comp for him from Lance Zierlein of NFL.com is Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman, and it couldn’t be more apt.

Avila is getting some buzz as a possible late first-round pick, and it’s well-reasoned. He’s versatile, powerful and capable as a run and pass blocker (515 pass blocking snaps without as sack allowed last season, according to Pro Football Focus).

Avila was a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy last season playing left guard for the Horned Frogs, but he also played center and right tackle in his college career. Lions left guard Jonah Jackson is entering the final year of his contract, and right guard is a need looking beyond 2023.

Avila fell more than he might when the draft actually comes here. He was a no-brainer pick.

Third Round

Some Lions analysts lament any idea of drafting linebacker. And, yes, Alex Anzalone was re-signed to a multi-year deal this offseason and Malcolm Rodriguez is set to hold down a starting spot until further notice after an impressive rookie season. But Anzalone progressed to being average in the best year of his career last year, and he defines replacement level–or slightly above.

Henley had an interesting college career. He played four seasons at Nevada, playing wide receiver, kick returner, both safety spots and as a slot defender. He became a linebacker in 2020, and in 2021 he had 94 tackles and four interceptions for the Wolfpack. He then moved on to Washington State in 2022, and finished with 106 tackles (12 tackles for loss), four sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

Henley gets high marks for his coverage ability (82.6 PFF coverage grade over the last two seasons), the energy he plays with and sideline-to-sideline range. He gets knocked for being on the small side (6-foot-1, 225 pounds), and a lack of instincts or diagnosis ability. But he is also pretty inexperienced as a linebacker, so those later points make sense and show room where he can improve at the next level.

Mike Payton of Pride of Detroit, who has Henley to the Lions at pick 55 in his latest mock (pre-Okudah trade), gave the punch line I would here at 81.

"If he winds up here, the Lions need to sprint to the podium."