Draft season is heating up with the Scouting Combine happening next week in Indianapolis. 329 draft prospects will be in town to get interviewed and evaluated. Draft boards and free agency will start to take shape. So, too, will mock drafts. Even more so than they are now.
A recent one came from the beat writers over at The Athletic. Each writer made a pick for their respective teams as they went through the first round. At No. 28, beat writer Colton Pouncy gave the Lions some help at defensive end by taking Donovan Ezeiruaku of Boston College.
In Ezeiruaku, the Lions would get one of the most productive players at the position from last season. His 16.5 sacks were second in the nation to Mike Green of Marshall — Green was taken at No. 10 by the Chicago Bears in this mock.
Here’s what Pouncy said about the pick: “For years, the Lions have not been able to provide Aidan Hutchinson with a true running mate. Josh Paschal has been more of a quality rotational piece than a starter. Marcus Davenport played two games for Detroit last year. And while Za’Darius Smith could be brought back in 2025, he’s closer to the end of his career than the beginning. This is where Ezeiruaku can step in. He was highly productive in his final year at Boston College with 16.5 sacks. He has long arms and should be able to hold his own in the run game. Most importantly, he can win a one-on-one quickly. The Lions should be looking to collect pass rushers, especially after their depth was tested last season. Here’s a young one who can help.”
Their depth was certainly tested last season. Hutchinson led the team in sacks with 7.5 and he was lost for the season in Week 6. Ezeiruaku is going to be among the favorites in the draft community during this cycle and should absolutely be on the Lions’ radar in April.