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2017 mock draft: Detroit Lions add a running back

Draft season is finally over, so it's time to move on...to next year's draft!

By Jeremy Reisman
Chris Graythen/Getty Images

After months of waiting, the 2016 NFL Draft is finally over. It was an exhausting draft season that only seems to drag on longer every year. That's why we're going to take a small break from the draft to talk about...next year's draft!

That's right, the formality of sports writing compels me to at least address the 2017 draft, despite the fact that is over 350 days away. I refuse to create any ridiculous mock drafts without even knowing where the teams will be picking, but that doesn't mean we can't look at a few mocks that other people spent (see: wasted) their precious time on. After all, last year's projections for the 2016 draft weren't actually that far off, with Jack Conklin and Ronnie Stanley being realistic options. Here's a look at what some analysts are slotting to the Detroit Lions in 2017:

Three out of the above five mocks have the Lions selecting a running back, which is fairly reasonable. Though the Lions drafted Ameer Abdullah in 2015, they don't really have a long-term option to complement his speed with strength. Leonard Fournette would bring that power to the Lions' backfield, as he currently measures out at 6-foot-1, 230 pounds. Last year, he rushed for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns and most believe he will be the first running back off the board next year.

But don't bank on any of this coming to fruition. First off, all of these mock presume the Lions will be one of the worst teams next season (as dictated by current Super Bowl odds). Secondly, both the college landscape and the Lions' roster will be much different by this time next year. Whatever the case, there's at least a little method to the madness of creating a 2017 mock draft one year in advance.

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