2. Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
Trice landed as a first-round pick to the Lions in some very early mocks, then he didn't have the greatest pre-draft process. Most notably perhaps, he came in at just 245 pounds at the combine after Washington listed him nearly 30 pounds heavier (274). But he also ran a pretty slow 40 at that lighter weight (4.72 seconds), and overall his measurables aren't considered ideal. Some of the same was said about Aidan Hutchinson two years ago though, even if it wasn't going to drop him too far down in the draft.
What is undeniable about Trice is production. As with Kneeland, sacks are random and Trice had 18 over his last three seasons at Washington (16 over the last two). But he also totaled 150 pressures over his last two college seasons (according to Pro Football Focus), along with 23.5 tackles for loss over that span.
Trice gets high marks for his motor and effort, which helps cover his flaws. He feels like the kind of player the Lions would like, as in production and intangibles over what the experts consider ideal in spme areas that are peripheral (at best) to playing football
1. Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
The bandwagon for Polk to the Lions has grown some, but it will continue to be driven here.
Last season, however overshadowed by a top-10 pick at wide receiver for the Huskies (Rome Odunze) and with another top-75 to 100 draft prospect also in the mix (Jalen McMillan), Polk was top-10 in the Pac-12 in catches (69), yards (1,159), touchdowns (nine) and yards per catch (16.8) last season.
Physically, Polk (6-foot-1, 203 pounds) is not quite the quintessential "X receiver the Lions' offense seems to be missing, but he gets high marks for his contested catch ability and ball skills. He is also a willing blocker, and it's become clear if you're not willing to block in the run game you can't play wide receiver for the Lions.
In his tabbing a wide receiver in each round of the draft for the Lions, Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire chose Polk for the third round, with a pertinent line within the assessment.
"I opted for Polk here because I strongly believe the Lions like him", Risdon wrote. The sentiment is shared by others.
Ja'Lynn Polk really is the perfect Josh Reynolds replacement for the #Lions
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) April 18, 2024
Early: Keon Coleman, Ja'Lynn Polk (Polk feels like a Lion)
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) April 12, 2024
Late: Jalen Coker, Johnny Wilson??? https://t.co/YGJdca4ZYx
Polk might be gone before pick 61, and the idea of trading up for him may fall by the wayside as just a mock draft pipe dream. But if he's there at that pick, the Lions may (and should be) tempted to take him.