2015 NFL mock draft: Lions select Tevin Coleman

With the 54th pick in Pride Of Detroit's 2015 NFL mock draft, the Detroit Lions select Indiana running back Tevin Coleman. Jeremy Reisman is serving as the Lions' general manager, and his reasoning for the pick is below.

After addressing offensive tackle in the first round, the Lions' top needs are defensive tackle, cornerback, running back and offensive guard. With seven corners already taken in the draft, there isn't a lot of value in that position in Round 2. Additionally, there isn't much to love about the offensive guard class this year, with A.J. Cann being really the only worthy second-round pick. Unfortunately, he was taken over 10 picks ago.

That leaves running back and defensive tackle as the two most talented positions left that address a big need. Both positions have two players who jump out as great picks at this point in the draft. For defensive tackle, Xavier Cooper and Michael Bennett provide solid value at pick No. 54. At running back, Tevin Coleman and Duke Johnson would both be fine late-second-round picks.

While addressing the defensive line is something that is undoubtedly needed -- especially after all of the turmoil that the position has gone through this offseason -- I ultimately decided that running back provided more value at this point in the draft, especially with Coleman still on the board.

I chose Coleman because he has the potential to be a three-down back, but with explosion-play potential. He isn't afraid of contact, he provides the pass blocking that Johnson lacks and he can make something out of nothing.

Last year, the Lions offense was abysmal, and a huge part of that was their lack of a running game (28th in yardage, 28th in yards per carry). With the additions of T.J. Clemmings and Tevin Coleman, the Lions now have a new dimension to their offense, while also solidifying their pass-protection issues. In the rounds that follow, I would turn my attention to the defensive side of the ball, looking to pick up a defensive tackle or cornerback in the third round of the draft.

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Check out the 2015 POD Community Mock Draft tracker for a look at all of the picks.