Mock Draft roundup: One WR is starting to separate from the pack

Last week’s Mock Draft roundup had a heavy focus on wide receivers with not a lot separating Ja’Marr Chase (LSU), Jaylen Waddle (Alabama), and DeVonta Smith (Alabama). This week, one of those three receivers was connected to the Detroit Lions more than the other two combined.

Let’s take a look at who was projected to the Lions over this past week.

Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Currently being mocked by Adam Rank (NFL.com)

Rank: “THIS IS NOT A PREDICTION. MERELY A SUGGESTION. I know you just traded for Jared Goff. But he’s regressed the last couple of years ... with offensive guru Sean McVay. Maybe Goff can thrive with Anthony Lynn in Detroit. You know, the coach who was in charge during Justin Herbert’s amazing rookie season? But I think we’ve seen enough of Goff to know what we’re getting. Goff would be fine as, like, the backup in Kansas City or something. Fields could be your QB of the future. And if nothing else, start dropping hints that you want to do that and see if the Panthers would like to jump up and swap picks.”

Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Currently being mocked by Erik Schlitt (Pride of Detroit), Cynthia Frelund (NFL.com), Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports), Luke Easterling (Draft Wire), C.J. Doon (The Baltimore Sun), AJ Spurr (Roll Tide Wire), Ben Rolfe (Pro Football Network)

Wilson: “Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones are gone, Jared Goff is the new QB, and if the Lions don’t target a quarterback, it’s imperative to get Goff some weapons. Chase is the most complete WR in the class.”

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Currently being mocked by Rob Rang (Fox Sports), Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News), Sam Farmer (Los Angeles Times), Pete Prisco (CBS Sports), Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports), Josh Edwards (CBS Sports), Cory Bonini (The Huddle), Omar Kelly (Sun Sentinel), Steve Serby (The New York Post), Gentry Estes (The Tennessean), Geoffrey Arnold (Oregon Live), Alex Simpson (Overtime Heroics)

Iyer: “Waddle is a highly skilled all-around natural pass-catcher. He can run all the routes at a high level, from flashing as a deep threat to finishing well in the red zone. The Lions need to overhaul at wide receiver with Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr. and Danny Amendola all not re-signed. Former Jet Breshad Perriman for the outside isn’t enough. Here’s the No. 1 option they need for new quarterback Jared Goff as Waddle can play well off the receiving skills of running back D’Andre Swift and tight end T.J. Hockenson.”

DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Currently being mocked by Lance Zierlein (NFL.com), Drae Harris (The Draft Network), Michael Fabiano (Sports Illustrated), Kevin Nogle (The Phinsider), Mike Kiwak (Bucs Nation), Doug Hyde (Draft Tek)

Zierlein: “The Lions must add more help at receiver for Jared Goff. Smith is the most talented inside/outside target in this draft.”

Kyle Pitts, Big Skill, Florida

Currently being mocked by Peter Bukowski (Acme Packing Company)

Bukowski: “A coach like Dan Campbell could target a player like Rashawn Slater to beef up the offensive line, but remember Campbell is a tight ends coach. Yes, Detroit has T.J. Hockenson, but Kyle Pitts tested like a receiver and immediately becomes the No. 1 option for the Lions. He’s the No. 4 overall player by this board.”

Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

Currently being mocked by Austin Gayle (PFF), Eddie Brown (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Brown: “In most drafts, Sewell would be the consensus No. 1 overall pick and he’d pair nicely with Taylor Decker, giving the Lions bookend tackles. The 2019 Outland Trophy winner — he opted out last season due to the threat of COVID-19 — isn’t flawless, but his ceiling is as high as they come (he’ll only be 21 in October).”

Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

Currently being mocked by Nick Farabaugh (Pro Football Network)

Farabaugh: ”This one is interesting. Simply put, Rashawn Slater to the Lions is not mocked often, but it is a perfect fit. There is a potential hole at right tackle, and the Lions may not trust anyone already on their roster to fill it. Slater meshes well with offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn’s wide-zone scheme and immediately improves the Lions offensive line.”

Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Currently being mocked by Eric Edholm (Yahoo Sports), John Clayton (The Washington Post), James Dator (SB Nation), Bryan Fischer (Anthon Sports), Mike Tagliere (Fantasy Pros)

Edholm: ”Another trade-down possibility, the Lions could bypass a QB here and keep adding to their future-pick till and go all in on Jared Goff’s potential replacement in 2022. We also can’t help but go back to what new head coach Dan Campbell said about building a “core foundation” recently. And for the examples of players who fit that mold, Campbell mentioned Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs and Luke Kuechly. This should be GM Brad Holmes’ call. But don’t forget that Chris Spielman is helping steer the direction of the franchise, as is senior personnel executive John Dorsey. Spielman is a former linebacker, and Dorsey never seemed to fret over certain character concerns, like the ones Parsons carries with his evaluation. If the Lions could slide back and grab Parsons, we’d like it even more.”