32 in 32 Days: Detroit Lions Mock Draft

To say the Lions dealt with a mass exodus this spring would be an understatement. The team’s biggest returning player is pass rusher Romero Okwara. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, the team lost its three starting wideouts and replenished the room with a handful of second-string players. Not a recipe for early success. However, this Detroit Lions mock draft will show a way for the team to build a foundation for success.

Detroit Lions 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Day One

1.7| Penei Sewell | OT | Oregon

With their first pick of this Detroit Lions mock draft, the Lions select Penei Sewell, from the University of Oregon. The Lions has many needs, and this may be a luxury pick. Lions tackle Tyrell Crosby has been solid for the team but also has a long list of injury problems over the years. However, at pick seven, you can not pass on a talent like this.

Some have Sewell as a top-three player in the draft and the Lions can use help opening holes for D’Andre Swift and keeping their new quarterback Jared Goff upright. Sewell played LT in college but has been training at RT this offseason. He is okay with moving to the other side for his team. With the Lions having Taylor Decker entrenched on the left side, Sewell will give the Lions a much-needed boost to their offensive line.

Detroit Lions 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Day Two

2.41| Gregory Rousseau | DE | Miami

With their first pick of day two in the Detroit Lions mock draft, the team selects Gregory Rousseau, from the University of Miami. This is equally as big of a steal as day one was. Many people believe Rousseau is the best pass rusher in the entire draft, the reason for his fall is some people question his commitment after sitting out last year due to COVID concerns.

The Lions need pass rush help in the worst way and would love to make this pick. After taking Rousseau, the Lions would have gotten many peoples OT#1 AND DE#1 in their first two picks. Keep in mind how the trenches were the biggest factor in the Super Bowl last year and it showed what matters most in the NFL.

3.72| Amon-Ra St. Brown| WR | USC

With their first pick of the third round, the Detroit Lions select Amon-Ra St. Brown, from USC. The Lions lost all three of their best WR’s from a season ago. Their core went from one of the best in the NFL to probably the worst WR core in the entire NFL in a single offseason. St. Brown is a very solid WR who in a year’s time could be Lion’s #1 WR for the future. There is a very strong chance a WR goes to the Lions before this point in the draft but the way the board fell there was no way the Lions could pass either of the players they took up.

3.101| Deonte Brown| OG | Alabama

With their last pick of day two, the Detroit Lions select Deonte Brown, from the University of Alabama. Brown is a mountain of a man standing 6’3 and weighing in at almost 370 lbs. He can move well for his size and even more importantly can move others. Brown will be a plug-and-play RG for the Lions on day one, much like Jackson was for the Lions last season. Brown is the final piece to this Lions offensive line puzzle and is a huge addition from this Detroit Lions mock draft.

With Decker, Jackson, Ragnow, Brown, and Sewell, the Lions will have one of the youngest lines in the NFL and talent a crossed the entire line. Lines that get time to work together over the years and learn the communication with each other is a very underrated part of what makes an offensive line work well. With all of these players being young and talented they could the Lions starting 5 for the next 10 years.

Detroit Lions 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Day Three

4.112| Trey Sermon| RB | Ohio State

With their first pick of day three of the 2021 Detroit Lions mock draft, the Lions select Trey Sermon, from Ohio State University. Sermon can be a great compliment back to Swift who the Lions drafted in the second round of last April’s draft. This will be the thunder to Swift’s lightning and give Swift a few reps off here and there.

With the old school mentality of the Lions’ new coach Dan Campbell and the run-first system Anthony Lynn likes to run, another running back would be the perfect way to go in this point in the draft. The Lions lack an identity on offense with all of these moving parts from last season and with them focusing on the offensive line and their young RB Swift and pro-bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson between the lines is where this team will look to go it seems.

5.153| Ambry Thomas| CB |Michigan

With their final pick on the draft the Detroit Lions select Ambry Thomas, from the University of Michigan. Thomas is a very athletic player who can play any defensive back position. This late in the draft the Lions look for someone who can fit multiple spots as well as provide depth for them, Thomas is the guy that fits the profile they are looking for.

Detroit Lions 2021 NFL Mock Draft Recap

That concludes this NFL Mock draft with the Detroit Lions. The Lions are right on the path to rebuilding their entire roster and a young quarterback in Jared Goff and now a solid offensive line on paper is a great place to start. I think this draft would be huge for the team and could allow them to get solid footing and an identity on offense. This would leave a lot to be desired on the defensive side of the ball but a new pass rusher is a nice addition to a team that struggled to get to the QB over the last few years.

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