Ja’Marr Chase, LSU Tigers (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
With a new general manager in Brad Holmes and head coach in Dan Campbell taking the reins of the Detroit Lions‘ organization this offseason, the rebuild (or retooling if you prefer) is in full swing in the Motor City.
While the new regime in Motown figures to be active players in free agency, which kicks off later this week, their primary tool for rebuilding this roster appears to the upcoming NFL draft. With that in mind, here’s our pre-free agency mock draft covering the team’s first four selections over three rounds.
JA’MARR CHASE
WIDE RECEIVER, Tigers
It appears many mock drafts don’t have LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase falling to the Lions at the seventh overall pick. Chase is considered by some to be the top wideout in this draft class. But the same was said about Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb last year and he fell to the Dallas Cowboys who stole him the 17th overall selection.
With the selection of Chase, the Lions successfully replace Kenny Golladay in Detroit. Combined with the recently signed Tyrell Williams, 2020 fifth-rounder Quintez Cephus, and any other free agents or rookies they acquire this offseason, the wide receiver rebuild should be complete.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Chase helped to lead the Tigers to a national championship in 2019. He racked up an astounding 84 receptions for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns in just 14 games as a sophomore.