In the first round of the Kiper-Yates mock draft, the Lions add Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson. Here’s what Kiper, who made the pick, had to say about it:
Robinson was unblockable at Senior Bowl practices in early February. He is a bit of a tweener, and he might be better as a 3-technique tackle. He could play some snaps at end in Detroit.
In the second, Detroit makes another defensive addition, this time in the secondary. Kiper mocks Georgia safety Javon Bullard to the Lions at pick No. 61. He writes:
I recently picked Bullard, my top-ranked safety, in our big superteams draft. He can do it all. The Lions landed Brian Branch in Round 2 last year, and they could build an elite duo with these two.
With their final pick in the three-rounder, the Lions grab a wide receiver in Pitt’s Bub Means, also courtesy of Kiper. His take on the pick is as follows:
Means was one of my combine risers in February. He has big hands and long arms, and he ran a 4.43-second 40 in Indianapolis. He also was productive in college, leading the ACC with 18 contested catches in 2023.
While I think he’s a good player, I don’t love the selection of Robinson for the Lions, who could use a more natural edge rusher.
The Missouri product could offer versatility, but Kiper believes he is better suited as a defensive tackle. The good news there is that he might be a long-term solution if the Lions don’t retain Alim McNeill for whatever reason following the 2024 campaign.
If the Lions make one addition in the secondary in this draft, the preference is cornerback, but Bullard does add some much-needed help at safety, where the Lions have Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu as the projected starters. The latter only has 11 career starts and has dealt with injury issues in the past.
Kiper mentions Brian Branch, but he’s expected to keep his role in the slot rather than play safety. Bullard would make it more possible for Detroit to accomplish that goal.
The final pick is my least favorite. Sure, the Lions could use some wide receiver help, but this feels too early for Means, who I’d consider a Day 3 prospect. He would, however, offer another option on the boundary, something the Lions should be in the market for.
This is a decent mock for the Lions, but not one I’m in love with.
Wide receivers
Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Source: Mel Kiper (ESPN)
Offensive linemen
Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon
Source: Nick Baumgardner (The Athletic), Jeff Risdon (Lions Wire)
Defensive tackle
Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Source: Diante Lee (33rd Team), Danny Heifetz (The Ringer), Ryan Mink (BaltimoreRavens.com), Matt Rooney (Bleacher Nation)
Edge Rusher
Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Source: Ian Valentino (33rd Team)
Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
Source: Steve Palazzolo (PFF), Ryan McCrystal (Sharp Football Analysis), Garrett Podell (CBS Sports), Pete Prisco (CBS Sports), Kyle Dvorchak (NBC Sports), Matthew Freedman (Fantasy Life)
Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
Source: Damian Parson (Draft Network), Shane Hallam (Draft Countdown)
Defensive backs
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Source: Evan Silva (Establish the run), David Furones (Sun Sentinel)
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Source: Erik Schlitt (Pride of Detroit), Rhett Lewis (NFL.com), Gennaro Filice (NFL.com), Nate Davis (USA Today), Max Chadwick (PFF), Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports), Josh Edwards (CBS Sports), Jeff Kerr (CBS Sports), Molly Bauer (Canal St. Chronicles), Jeff Ratcliffe (FTN Fantasy), Kent Weyrauch (Fantasy Pros), Mike Fanelli (Fantasy Pros), Nolan Mangiamelli (Last word on sports), Matt Urben (Falcons Wire)
Nate Wiggins
Source: Cory Giddings (Bleacher Report – Staff), David Howman (Blogging the Boys), Dan Wilkins and Dane Belbeck (The Score), Chris Gregory (Rotoballer)
Ennis Rakestraw, CB, Missouri
Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
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