After a hectic and unpredictable Day 1 of the NFL Draft, there are still plenty of top-tier talents left on the board for the Detroit Lions to consider with their second and third-round pick. The Lions have already selected an offensive tackle to fill their need on the right side, so let's take a look at some of the top players available at their remaining positions of need.
Note: These player rankings are based off of NFL.com's NFL Draft Tracker.
Safety
1. Vonn Bell (Ohio State)
2. Miles Killebrew (Southern Utah)
3. T.J. Green (Clemson)
4. Justin Simmons (Boston College)
5. DeAndre Houston-Carson (William & Mary)
Analysis:
The Lions have a huge void to fill at strong safety and there are a few players left on the board that I would love to see in Teryl Austin's scheme. One player that they've shown a ton of interest in is Justin Simmons, and my gut is telling me that the Lions will strongly consider him with their second round pick. Miles Killebrew is also a fine option to develop at strong safety, but he isn't quite as polished as Simmons just yet.
Defensive End
1. Kevin Dodd (Clemson)
2. Emmanuel Ogbah (Oklahoma State)
3. Noah Spence (Eastern Kentucky)
4. Kamalei Correa (Boise State)
5. Shilique Calhoun (Michigan State)
Analysis:
Kevin Dodd is really the only top defensive end prospect that I can imagine the Lions being interested in on the second day of the draft. He is a perfect fit in Austin's 4-3 under scheme and may be the most intelligent and instinctive defensive lineman not named Joey Bosa. Guys like Ogbah and Spence are phenomenal pass rushers, but I'm just not sure if they'll be able to find a starting job in Austin's system.
Defensive Tackle
1. A'Shawn Robinson (Alabama)
2. Chris Jones (Mississippi State)
3. Jarran Reed (Alabama)
4. Jonathan Bullard (Florida)
5. Hassan Ridgeway (Texas)
6. Andrew Billings (Baylor)
7. Austin Johnson (Penn State)
8. Willie Henry (Michigan)
9. Sheldon Day (Notre Dame)
10. Adolphus Washington (Ohio State)
Analysis:
I had to extend this list for defensive tackles because there are so many left on the board that are considered to be Day 2 talents. Guys like Bullard, Ridgeway, Henry, Day and Washington are considered to be pass rushing specialists, while Robinson, Jones, Reed, Billings and Johnson offer the ability to two-gap and stuff the run.
Center
1. Cody Whitehair (Kansas State)
2. Nick Martin (Notre Dame)
3. Max Tuerk (USC)
4. Jack Allen (Michigan State)
5. Graham Glasgow (Michigan)
Analysis:
Cody Whitehair and Nick Martin are projected to be guards in the NFL, but are versatile enough to make the move to center if needed. The best pure centers left on the board via NFL.com consist of Max Tuerk, Jack Allen and Graham Glasgow. I have a feeling that Allen and Martin are too small for what the Lions are looking for at center, but someone like Tuerk or Glasgow may be available even later in the draft.
Tight End
1. Hunter Henry (Arkansas)
2. Austin Hooper (Stanford)
3. Nick Vannett (Ohio State)
4. Tyler Higbee (Western Kentucky)
5. Jerell Adams (South Carolina)
Analysis:
Well you can pretty much count Tyler Higbee out of the Day 2 sweepstakes. What the Lions need is a tight end that can strengthen their run game and keep Matthew Stafford upright as a blocker. The only player on this list that can fit the mold is Ohio State's Nick Vannett, and he could be a decent option for the Lions with their third round compensatory pick.
Cornerback
1. Mackensie Alexander (Clemson)
2. Kendall Fuller (Virginia Tech)
3. Will Redmond (Mississippi State)
4. Xavien Howard (Baylor)
5. D.J. White (Georgia Tech)
Analysis:
The Lions could use some depth at cornerback and it's possible they could select someone to challenge Nevin Lawson for a starting spot opposite of Darius Slay. According to WalterFootball.com, the Lions have already met with Alexander and Fuller prior to the draft.