Detroit Lions mock draft: Pre-NFL Combine, full 7-round edition

Fifth Round, No. 162 overall: Cornelius Johnson, WR, Michigan

If the Lions have a top need on the offensive side of the ball, heading into free agency anyway, it's a big, contested catch type of wide receiver.

As could be expected playing in a run-oriented Michigan offense, Johnson's college numbers aren't outstanding on the whole. But he did top 600 yards in two of his final three seasons, with six touchdowns in the other (2022). He averaged nearly 15 yards per catch during his career, and he was mixed in as a runner a bit too.

Johnson's ability to be a big immediate contributor in the NFL is a question. But he has the size (6-foot-3, 208 pounds) and overall tools to be interesting, and outside of the top-150 he is a fine flier for the Lions.

Sixth Round, No. 206 overall: Reddy Steward, CB, Troy

Steward, due solely to having played in the Sun Belt at Troy, is not a household name in the 2024 NFL Draft. But he is versatile, able to play outside and nickel, and there's no arguing with his production over the last two seasons.

2022: 63 total tackles, three interceptions, 12 pass breakups
2023: 50 total tackles, four tackles for loss, four interceptions, 10 pass breakups

At the Hula Bowl Steward was listed at 5-foot-10 and 176 pounds, so he's definitely on the smaller side. But here in the sixth round, as the Lions consider plenty of options (including taking another cornerback), his versatility and ball skills stand out.

Seventh Round, No. 246 overall: Brennan Jackson, EDGE, Washington State

The Lions' edge rusher group is lined up for an overhaul, so taking a second one here made sense.

Jackson is a versatile defensive lineman, strong in the run and game and athletic enough to play out on the edge. He garners high marks for his effort, physicality and football IQ. His final season at Washington State was his best, with 8.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries and three pass breakups.

Jackson needs to develop a broader pass rush repertoire, with not much more than a bull rush in his bag of moves. How he tests athletically at the combine could be interesting, and further point to the upside potential here.

Broadly, as Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus noted, Jackson seems like the kind of player the Lions will gravitate toward.