Lions host Xavier Cooper for pre-draft visit

The Detroit Lions began their 2015 pre-draft visits on Monday by hosting McNeese State offensive lineman Antoine Everett. On Tuesday, they brought in a player on the other side of the ball by hosting Washington State defensive tackle Xavier Cooper.

After redshirting in 2011, Cooper ended up playing three seasons at Washington State. Over the course of those three years, he recorded a total of 122 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks. Last season, he had 37 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks.

Cooper turned some heads recently with an impressive performance at the NFL Combine. From the Lions' official site:

He did that by running the 40-yard dash in 4.86 seconds, which was second among all defensive tackles at the Combine. His 29 reps on the bench press were ninth best among the group. He was first in the 3-cone drill (7.23 seconds) and second in the 20-yard shuttle (4.37).

CBS Sports has Cooper ranked as their 70th overall player and ninth defensive tackle. Also, CBS Sports has Cooper projected as a second- or third-round pick in this year's NFL Draft. If the Lions still have a need at defensive tackle and don't address it in the first round, Cooper could be an option for them on the second day of the draft.