Mock Draft round up: New names continue to emerge ahead of free agency

In last week’s Mock Draft round up, we saw some familiar players emerge as popular choices. The main five players continue to be connected to the Detroit Lions—especially the Alabama receivers—but an offensive tackle makes the list this week, as does a cornerback.

One interesting note in this edition of the round up, there were just two defensive players connected to the Lions this week, and both were paired with Detroit after a trade down.

Let’s take a look at the projections from this past week.

Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

Currently being mocked by Kent Swanson (Arrowhead Pride), Nick Farabaugh (Pro Football Network), Tankathon Staff

Swanson: “Jared Goff should not be a long-term solution for the Lions. If Lance isn’t ready, Goff is the stopgap they hope to flip if he performs well as they let the FCS prospect get his feet wet against elite talent.”

Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Currently being mocked by Anthony Broome (Maize n Brew), Brian Johannes (The Huddle Report)

Broome: “The Lions are letting Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones walk in free agency as they completely tear the house down and rebuild from scratch. They will either be open for business via a trade down or be in a position to take the best player on the board. Chase is that and more and could easily come off the board far earlier than this.”

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Currently being mocked by Luke Easterling (Draft Wire), Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports), AJ Schulte (Pro Football Network), Damond Talbot (Draft Diamonds)

Easterling: “The Lions aren’t placing the franchise tag on Kenny Golladay, which means all three of the team’s top pass-catchers are set to hit free agency. That’s not good news for Jared Goff’s chances of success in Detroit, which means wide receiver needs to be the primary target with this pick. Waddle’s elite speed and explosiveness make him the best big-play threat in this year’s class.”

DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Currently being mocked by Maurice Jones-Drew (NFL.com), Seth Galina (PFF), Tony Pauline (Pro Football Network), Pete Prisco (CBS Sports), Josh Edwards (CBS Sports), Brent Sobleski (Bleacher Report), Ryan McCrystal (Sharp Football Analysis), Doug Hyde (Draft Tek), Skyler Carlin (Clutch Points)

Jones-Drew: “Drafting the Heisman Trophy winner is a great starting point to get the Lions back on track.”

Pauline: “The Lions have had a splendid offseason and the league year hasn’t even begun. They need a receiver, and DeVonta Smith offers the least amount of downside at this point.”

Prisco: “Even if Kenny Golladay does come back, they need help outside. Smith is a big-time playmaker. The major concern is his size, but he can fly.”

Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

Currently being mocked by Nate Davis (USA Today), Tom Fornelli (CBS Sports)

Davis: “They could go in any number of directions, including quarterback. But new coach Dan Campbell wants to see shredded kneecaps, and new offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn wants to run the ball. Slater, who can play anywhere on the line, would check multiple boxes for an organization in the midst of upheaval.”

Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Currently being mocked by Jordan Reid (The Draft Network)

Reid suggests the Lions would draft Parsons with the No. 12 overall pick after trading with the San Francisco 49ers. In the deal, the 49ers get pick No. 7 and the Lions get pick No. 12, No. 117 (4th round), as well as first and third round picks in 2022.

Reid: “Listening to Brad Holmes’ tone during his press conference on top of signing a five-year deal with the team, it’s clear that he’s building the team for the long haul. The reasoning for trading back with the 49ers stems from this: Holmes had a helping hand in drafting Jared Goff, and I think that he will give him a trial run in 2021 to prove that he can be the long-term answer moving forward. While the former No. 1 overall pick is basically interviewing for that spot, Holmes will look to stockpile picks while also building up other areas in anticipation of dropping a younger QB into a better situation and building depth across the board. Parsons gives the team an athletic option at edge rusher or linebacker.”

In addition to Parsons, Reid’s three-round mock draft also had the Lions landing Kadarius Toney (WR, Florida) at pick No. 41, Jay Tufele (DT, USC) at No. 72, and Keith Taylor Jr. (CB Washington) at No. 88 in the third round.

Caleb Fairley, CB, Virginia Tech

Currently being mocked by Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports)

Wilson: “Jeffrey Okudah had an inconsistent rookie season, but he has a chance to be a really good player — and the Lions’ only other CBs under contract are Amani Oruwariye and Justin Coleman, who ranked below replacement level in 2020. Farley is a fantastic athlete who is only scratching the surface on his potential.”

Wilson’s mock draft was also of the three-round variety and he gave the Lions Trevon Moehrig (S, TCU) at pick No. 41, D’Wayne Eskridge (WR, Western Michigan) at No. 72, and Dylan Moses (LB, Alabama) at No. 88.

Not mocked to the Lions this week

It’s been two weeks since the Lions have been connected with Penei Sewell (OT, Oregon), most because analysts expect him to be drafted ahead of the Lions spot. Kye Pitts (TE, Florida) is also finding his name in the top six of a lot of drafts, his stock continues to rise. Azeez Ojulari (JACK, Georgia) and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (LB, Notre Dame) continue to be drafted after pick No. 7 in most mock drafts.