Lions notes: The Athletic’s 7-round mock hits all of the Lions’ pressing needs

It’s rare that you see an NFL mock draft that makes everyone happy, and I’m sure this will be no exception. However, Dane Brugler of The Athletic put together a full seven-round mock draft for all 32 teams this week, and I have to imagine many Detroit Lions fans would jump at the opportunity to make this a reality.

Brugler not only managed to hit on all of the Lions’ most pressing needs early—he gets a pass rusher, cornerback and guard in the first three rounds—but he manages to fill those positions without a reach in talent. Take a look at his haul:

Though some may argue about the first-round pick in Montez Sweat—a player that has become very divisive among draft experts—it’s hard to argue against the rest of the picks. The Lions even get their tight end depth with LSU’s Foster Moreau in the fifth—excellent value for the extremely athletic run blocker.

Throw in some serious backup quarterback competition and a potential high-ceiling, small-school prospect receiver in Travis Fulgham, and it’s hard to be too upset with this mock draft.

• Congratulations to Deanna Ivey, the Detroit Lions’ manager of communications, who retired on Monday after 30 years with the team. Personally, Deanna was a big help over the past year, and she had a big hand in helping Pride of Detroit gain more access to the team in recent years.

Thanks for everything you did for me, personally, and the team:

• Here are a couple more draft visits/workouts to report. According to Ian Rapoport, potential early-to-mid-round picks, Vanderbilt CB Joejuan William and Auburn CB Jamel Dean will visit the Lions this week... While Marshall defensive lineman Juwon Young worked out with Detroit earlier in the week.

• Good news for former Lions general manager Matt Millen. After a successful heart transplant late last year, Millen will return to the broadcast booth:

• Justin Rogers of the Detroit News re-graded the Lions’ 2016 draft now that it’s three years in the rear-view mirror. The top half of the draft still looks pretty good. The bottom half... not so much.

• The Lions may have found a good role for Jarrad Davis last year, especially on third down:

• Which offensive linemen in this year’s draft fit the profile of the kind of player Lions general manager Bob Quinn wants? Erik Schlitt over at Lions Wire breaks down this year’s class and how it relates to Detroit.