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SB Nation's latest 2014 NFL mock draft is of the two-round variety. In it, the Detroit Lions are projected to go cornerback in the first round and wide receiver in the second round.
The Lions' first-round pick in this mock draft is Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert. Many people believe that Michigan State's Darqueze Dennard is the top cornerback in the draft, but Gilbert seems to be right up there with him. The NFL Combine will be interesting to watch just to see how Gilbert and Dennard compare.
With the Lions missing out on a wide receiver in the first round (Sammy Watkins went sixth overall), they landed Oregon State's Brandin Cooks in the second round. Cooks isn't very big compared to some of the other top wide receivers in the draft (he's listed at only 5'10), but he was very productive in college. In 2013, he caught 128 passes for 1,730 yards and 16 touchdowns.
I personally remain strongly opposed to drafting a cornerback in the first round. The Lions have enough young corners as it is, and unless there's a can't-miss cornerback who emerges, I just think they'd be better off addressing other, bigger needs.
Wide receiver is one of those bigger needs, so at least this mock has the Lions addressing that position in the second round. In the first round, though, if Watkins isn't there and neither Mike Evans nor Marqise Lee ends up becoming a top-10 pick, perhaps going with a defensive position other than cornerback -- like outside linebacker or safety -- would make more sense. Then again, I suppose we should wait to see what the Lions do with Louis Delmas and let free agency play out before throwing safety into the mix.
