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Post by D6 on Feb 25, 2024 19:41:58 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Feb 26, 2024 0:37:51 GMT -5
Lions 2024 Draft prospect of the day: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
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While Outside CB is the Lions # 1 need, my guess at this time is that there's going to be better options for the Lions with Pick # 29 than Nate Wiggins. My gut feeling is that Wiggins doesn't have the all-around package at CB the Lions would likely be seeking. I have doubts at least for now that the Lions would take him even with the team's 2nd Round Pick.
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Post by D6 on Feb 26, 2024 17:35:14 GMT -5
Georgia CB Kamari Lassiter fits the Lions 1st-round pick
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Even more than how Kamari Lassiter does in the Combine physical tests, which I don't think will change the Lions evaluation of him, the main reason why I think the Lions will pass on Lassiter with Pick # 29 or even in a trade down into the upper half of Round 2, is his lack of forcing /coming up with takeaways. In 44 games with Georgia, Lassiter has 1 interception, 0 forced fumbles, and 0 fumble recoveries.
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Post by D6 on Mar 4, 2024 2:48:15 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Apr 5, 2024 17:14:09 GMT -5
Lions met recently with the potential next Ifeatu Melifonwu
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Isaiah Johnson ran a 4.64 40 at the Combine. His best chance in the NFL is probably as a Box Safety or a combination S-LB / Big Nickel. The earliest I can envision him being drafted is in Round 6. Most likely, the Lions would have at least a few better options with the two 6th Round Picks the Lions currently have. Even in Round 7, I think there will be better options. If Johnson isn't drafted, which is at least a very realistic possibility, he would make sense as a higher caliber UDRFA signing.
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Post by D6 on Apr 7, 2024 21:41:55 GMT -5
Lions draft prospect of the day: Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
2024 Lions Draft: Analyzing Safety Malik Mustapha from Wake Forest
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Malik Mustapha will probably be drafted somewhere from Round 4 to Round 6, with Round 4 or Round 5 more likely.
Though Mustapha's Vertical Jump (I believe it was at his Pro Day) was excellent (41 1/2"), his height and short arms limit him greatly as an NFL prospect. His short arms contribute substantially to his high % of missed tackles. Unless the Lions brass believes that Mustapha can be a reliable tackler on Special Teams Coverage, which probably isn't the case, my guess is the Lions probably would pass on Mustapha even with the team's current two 6th Round Picks (if still available). |
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Post by D6 on Apr 8, 2024 1:39:58 GMT -5
Lions draft prospect of the day: Trey Taylor, S, Air Force
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Pick # 73 in Round 3 seems too early for the Lions to select Trey Taylor. If the Lions rate Taylor noticeably higher than Pick # 163 in Round 5, the Lions next scheduled pick, he would be worth considering if the Lions trade down with one or more of the team's first 3 scheduled picks in the draft. A trade up from Pick # 163 to go higher up in Round 5 to draft Taylor is something I would be comfortable with, if the trade compensation makes sense for the Lions. With Pick # 163 in Round 5, Taylor could be one of the Lions best options. The combination of his physical skills, Special Teams versatility and potential, and intangibles is clearly favorable.
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Post by D6 on Apr 12, 2024 17:34:37 GMT -5
Lions draft prospect of the day: Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State
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Kitan Oladapo, more likely than not, will be drafted in Round 4 or Round 5.
The Lions probably have serious interest in drafting Oladapo, though I would be surprised if it was before Round 5. Oladapo has good intangibles on and off the field. He definitely seems like a good Lions culture fit. For a player who was a 6th Year Senior though, Oladapo didn't have much experience on Special Teams with Oregon St. This probably will lower his draft stock with the Lions to some extent, though he has the type of skills and makeup that projects well for Special Teams. Box Safety and Big Nickel are the Defensive positions I think he fits best at as an NFL prospect.
If Oladapo is still available with Pick # 163 in Round 5 and the Lions haven't drafted a Safety prior to that point of the draft, I think he would get serious consideration to be selected by the Lions in that spot.
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Post by D6 on Apr 22, 2024 0:46:15 GMT -5
Lions draft prospect of the day: Javon Bullard, DB, Georgia
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I'm of the opinion that the most likely part of the draft Javon Bullard will be selected is in the Pick # 55 to Pick # 64 range, in the latter part of Round 2. I think there's slightly less than a 50-50 chance Bullard will be available with Pick # 61.
If Bullard is available with Pick # 61, it feels like a close call whether the Lions should draft him, assuming that no one jumps out on the Lions draft board at a position the Lions prefer to address. My gut feeling is that the Lions probably could get a better prospect at # 61 or better value trading down from Pick # 61. I'm around 45 to 49 % confident the Lions should select Bullard at # 61, if available.
The size factor with Bullard is a concern, especially with the concern that his short strides limit his range.
On the plus side, Bullard is a very good to great culture/ intangibles fit for the Lions and that he has terrific ball skills.
If Bullard lasts to Pick # 73, in Round 3, he probably would be at or near the top of the Lions best options.
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Post by D6 on Apr 24, 2024 0:53:30 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Apr 24, 2024 13:18:47 GMT -5
Lions 2024 draft preview: Immediate depth, potential long-term starter needed at safety
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When factoring in Kerby Joseph's comments regarding the hip surgery he had earlier this off-season, the Lions short term need at Safety seems as high as the long term need. Especially, with the Lions having very little depth at Safety.
Tyler Nubin, Javon Bullard, Jaden Hicks, Cole Bishop, and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson are players the Lions could have interest in on Day 2. With Nubin, Bullard, and Hicks being realistic possibilities, if available at Pick # 61. USC S Calen Bullock, who's my Lions Mock Draft projection with Pick 73, in Round 3, is likely also an option for the Lions on Day 2. Bullock's ball skills and his experience at Nickel Back, in addition to Free Safety, could easily appeal to the Lions brass.
Kamren Kinchens had 22 pass deflections the last two seasons, in addition to 11 interceptions. All of this, in 22 games. Considering Kinchens played at Miami (FL), an ACC school, I don't think he's going to last to Round 4 of the draft. It's not a given Kinchens will even be available with Pick # 73, in Round 3. Considering that Kinchens was a productive Special Teams player when used on Coverage teams earlier in his time with Miami and that was considered a leader on the Hurricanes Defense, I think the Lions will seriously consider Kinchens with Pick # 73 or in a trade down from that spot. Even at Pick # 61, in the latter part of Round 2, I think there's more than a snowball's chance that Kinchens could be selected by the Lions.
For the Lions to draft Tyler Owens, who realistically might not even pan out as a backup caliber Safety on the NFL level, the Lions likely would rank Owens highly as a Special Teams prospect. I don't think the Lions would draft Owens before Round 7. Owens is someone who the Lions could have serious interest if he isn't drafted.
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Post by D6 on Apr 24, 2024 17:49:18 GMT -5
Lions 2024 draft preview: Long-term need could justify receiver in early rounds
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Of the four Day 2 Options that Justin Rogers listed, Ennis Rakestraw Jr is the one who I believe has the best chance of ending up with the Lions somewhere in Round 2. I don't think the Lions are going to select him with Pick # 29, mostly because of his injury history. Size and lack of interceptions (he only had 1 in 36 games with Missouri (though he had 3 forced fumbles) probably will also contribute to the Lions not taking him at # 29. However, in a trade down from # 29, the Lions probably would be at least somewhat more comfortable drafting Rakestraw. I would be surprised if the Lions drafted any of the other 3 CBs in Round 2. Even with Pick # 73, in Round 3, I have doubts the Lions would take any of the other CBs.
On the other hand, I believe the Lions could realistically draft Kris Abrams-Draine, Rakestraw's Missouri teammate, as early as Pick # 61, in Round 2. With KAB being one of the more likely options with Pick # 73, if the Lions didn't address CB earlier. Size is by far the # 1 concern with KAB, especially when combining that with his below avg. Combine Vertical Jump. Yet, KAB checks the vast majority, if not all, of the other Lions boxes. Round 3 is KAD's most likely landing point, followed by the first half of Round 4.
Oregon CB Khyree Jackson probably will be drafted in Round 3 or 4. If the Lions are satisfied that Jackson has matured since he was suspended by HC Nick Saban in 2022, when both were with Alabama), he could realistically be in play as early as Pick # 73.
Virginia State CB Willie Drew could be in play for the Lions as early as Pick # 164, in Round 5 but I think there's a better chance the Lions would be interested in Drew in Round 6. Drew has great ball skills (11 interceptions in the last 2 combined seasons). However, it's a long way from Virginia State to the NFL. He definitely needs to increase his playing strength. The latter part of Round 5, through the end of Round 6 is the range I believe Drew has the best chance to be drafted in.
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Post by D6 on Apr 27, 2024 21:27:54 GMT -5
The following is the correct link for the 'Lions 2024 draft preview: Long-term need could justify receiver in early rounds' article that Justin Rogers wrote:
archive.ph/6eTwo
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