The final SB Nation 2011 NFL mock draft has arrived, and it is quite interesting. The Detroit Lions are predicted to trade down to the 17th overall pick and select Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers. The New England Patriots are moving up to the 13th pick in this scenario to take Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones, and they are giving up the 74th overall pick to complete the trade.
If this were to happen in real life, I would be ecstatic. Not only would the Lions get a talented pass rusher by taking Bowers, but picking up an extra third-round selection would be huge. With only six picks right now, the Lions are expected to make some moves to pick up extra selections in what is a very talented draft. Moving down in the first round is certainly possible, and if they were able to trade down and still get Bowers that would be perfect.
If the Lions decide to trade down with a team with a later pick than 17th overall, it's possible they could be targeting somebody like Jimmy Smith. He is predicted to go 25th overall to the Philadelphia Eagles in SB Nation's mock draft, and I could certainly see the Lions moving down to the early 20s to take him.
For more coverage of the 2011 NFL Draft (i.e. NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL Draft schedule, etc.), check out Mocking The Draft, SB Nation's NFL Draft hub, SB Nation Detroit's NFL Draft StoryStream and Pride Of Detroit's 2011 NFL Draft archive.