The combine is closing in, and all eyes will be on the potential prospects showcasing their skills in hopes of impressing the right people. Even though some of the NFL scouting combine lust has worn off, this will be the perfect time for teams to get a personal look at the prospects of interest. With the two picks in the first round, in hopes of turning around the franchise, this is a pivotal point for the Detroit Lions.
Mock drafts have been coming out in a plethora, but typically you will see the same prospects going to the Lions at number two and a combination of others at the end of the draft. However, PFF’s recent mock draft from Steve Palazzolo gives some interesting selections that some might consider controversial.
The safety corps looks very thin with Tracy Walker, Will Harris, and Dean Marlowe hitting free agency. Considering how much the defense relies on the secondary, the Lions need someone to provide that presence. Don’t look any further than Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton. He is probably the best player in the draft, with superb football skills oozing out him. With his top speed, shut down coverage skills, and unique blend of size and speed, he has been described as a unicorn prospect due to this crazy combination of traits. Hamilton is not regularly slotted this high because of positional value as a safety versus an edge defender.
All that matters is which player you love the most, and thankfully the Lions could have their choice, especially if the Jaguars take an offensive tackle versus one of the edge defenders. Aidan Hutchinson would be the top choice for most Lions fans with the hometown love, but if he gets scooped up by the Jaguars as he did here, why not Hamilton at number two?
He is a potentially generational talent with natural leadership skills that could be a cornerstone player and transform the defense for years. You can’t go wrong with Hamilton as your choice if it came down to it as long as you can look past the positional questions.
The quarterback debate will be heard throughout the offseason up until the draft. Should the Lions take one at number 2? Should they trade up? Jared Goff enjoyed a resurgence in the second half of the season last year, but will the Lions decide to hang their hat on Goff and roll with him in the foreseeable future? Palazzolo decided to go on the attack and give the Lions their potential quarterback in North Carolina’s Sam Howell.
After coaching him at the Senior Bowl, the Lions are familiar with Howell, where he threw for 67 yards on 6-for-9 passing and 29 yards rushing, including a touchdown. Howell had a step-back year at North Carolina after seeing all of his weapons leave the previous year, giving draftniks a little hesitation of the young quarterback and his jump to the next level. Still, he is a strong thrower and could develop into a potential franchise quarterback with the right infrastructure.
If the Lions tag one of the quarterbacks, one would have to believe it would be for developmental reasons to sit behind Goff, but also some believe if the Lions do go after a quarterback, why not get them at two. These heavy debates will go on until the draft concludes.
Some take mock drafts to heart and believe these scenarios will never happen, or why a team would do that. Right now, that is all in the air, with free agency still yet to happen. It could turn right on its head just as quickly. These are interesting exercises that stir debate, questions, and potential events and bring out the thoughts among draftniks and fans.
