2012 NFL Mock Draft: SB Nation Has Lions Taking Kelechi Osemele

by Sean Yuille on Jan 24, 2012 9:21 PM EST in NFL Draft

A year ago, one of the common comments made by draft analysts about the Detroit Lions was that they had to select an offensive tackle in the first round. While some of the analysts noted that the move would be to build for the future on the offensive line, it seemed like the majority were of the opinion that the Lions (specifically Jeff Backus) couldn't protect Matthew Stafford.

While the Lions could use an upgrade or two on the offensive line, it seems unlikely that any drastic changes will be made to the starting five for next season. Even so, with guys like Backus and Dominic Raiola not getting any younger, the Lions do have to start preparing for the future, and SB Nation's latest 2012 NFL mock draft has them doing just that by selecting Iowa State offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele with the 23rd pick.

The Lions have some age on their offensive line that they need to start accounting for. Osemele can help on the inside, or he can step in for Jeff Backus, a 34-year old free agent. They have the offensive talent at the skill positions. Now, it's time to make a championship line.

For those wondering, this mock draft has Stanford offensive guard David DeCastro going ninth to the Dolphins, Stanford offensive tackle Jonathan Martin going 22nd to the Rams (via a trade) and Wisconsin center Peter Konz going 29th to the Ravens.

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The Ravens would get Konz..

…and he would hold down their offensive line for the rest of his career, just like their old C… forget his name.

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by Nate D. on Jan 24, 2012 10:23 PM EST reply actions

damn

I go to Iowa State now. It would be something to have a Cyclone drafted by the LIons, let alone an offensive linemen.

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by Latif Masud on Jan 24, 2012 10:51 PM EST reply actions

Do you know the guy? Is he good?

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by KDawg on Jan 24, 2012 11:00 PM EST up reply actions

I just moved here two weeks ago

But the school does give us access to every student’s phone number, home address, etc, etc :)

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by Latif Masud on Jan 24, 2012 11:03 PM EST up reply actions

No way, not in the first round

He’s a bit on the slow side, better right tackle prospect than anything else. That would be a wasted pick.

by fiendishdr.wu on Jan 24, 2012 11:29 PM EST reply actions

a slow guy in the trenches…oh no!

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by BIGWalt2990 on Jan 25, 2012 7:23 AM EST up reply actions

Intresting pick

But I can’t see us taking him and pasing on Konz to do so.

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by The Profiler on Jan 24, 2012 11:31 PM EST reply actions

Kelechi Osemele

Dont see this one happening………I think the Lions go after Mark Barron from Bama.

by douglazz63 on Jan 24, 2012 11:35 PM EST via mobile reply actions

If he lasts that long

I’d love to see how that plays out.

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by Bighaircut on Jan 25, 2012 1:24 AM EST up reply actions

Kelechi is a physical talent but

His technique sucks. He is getting by on athleticism maybe he does have a huge upside but I don’t think we’ve got the time to get him up to snuff. You don’t pass up Konz for this guy.

by rekar on Jan 25, 2012 2:25 AM EST reply actions

He is not 1st round talent

Cordy Glenn OG or Zebrie Sanders OT would go before Kelechi

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by JCruize on Jan 25, 2012 7:46 AM EST reply actions

They can throw almost anyones name out there right now, but it pretty much means nothing.

Picking in the last ten, like the Lions are this year, opens up a huge number of players that provide good “value” at # 23.

The Lions have barely begun the process of micro-analyzing all these guys. And remember, everything could change in the last week or two before the Draft. Remember last year? I don’t believe the Lions seriously thought they had a shot at Fairley until the week before the Draft.

Wes Bunting of NFP likes him. Has him currently “ranked” 24th.
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_player_scouting_report.html&player=40009

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by NorthLeft12 on Jan 25, 2012 7:48 AM EST reply actions

Kelechi shares a 6.9 ranking with twelve other players according to Wes.

The ranking of same-score players is extremely subjective (and at times, often arbitrary and random) with Bunting.

Kelechi isn’t fast enough to play LT, doesn’t have solid leverage technique and may just be plain too tall to play inside at RG/LG, and is absolutely not polished enough to take as an RT prospect with the 23rd pick.

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by Mavyrk on Jan 25, 2012 11:42 PM EST up reply actions

That's why I put "ranked" in quotes.

At this point in time some scouts love the guy, others don’t. Just like 95% of the available draftees. And lets face it, over half the guys that the scouts agree on [love or hate], they will be “wrong” about anyway.

Wes has him ranked as the second best Guard prospect. Personally, I like having a guy who could play Guard and swing to Tackle in a pinch too. Scott Wright of Draft Countdown has him as a Tackle only [sixth in this class].

Mav, I have absolutely no idea who the Lions will pick this year. In previous years I have felt like I had a pretty good idea, but so far this year……not a clue.

by NorthLeft12 on Jan 26, 2012 7:41 AM EST up reply actions

Same on that last point.

No idea.

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by Mavyrk on Jan 26, 2012 9:05 AM EST up reply actions

I have never understood mock drafts

Who knows what the teams in the top 10 are going to do. Nick fell to the Lions because of a “run on quarterbacks”. If fisher is sold on Luck, than that pick, IMO, is the keystone on draft day.What the first 6 picks do will set the board.
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by seabeeruss on Jan 26, 2012 9:40 PM EST up reply actions

I'd pass on this guy

We have enough tackles that can’t play tackle.

by Thorpac on Jan 25, 2012 11:46 AM EST reply actions

Well mayhew will earn his check this offseason.

Don’t envy the task of trying to acquire FA’s resign critical fa’s of our own sign our draft picks and work on Calvin’s new contract.

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by awayfromthepride on Jan 25, 2012 12:49 PM EST reply actions

Osemele is not a first rounder yet, he would need a great pre-draft showing to put him up there.

I see him as a good RT to decent OG, but he’d be a project. That, coupled with his character concerns and his not spotless injury history has me shaking my head at this choice.

"You've got to respect your opponent, no matter who it is. You respect him best by going out there and beating him up." - Calvin Johnson

by Mavyrk on Jan 25, 2012 11:39 PM EST reply actions