Detroit Lions Mock Draft Tracker
Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
What will the Detroit Lions do in the 2014 NFL draft? Keep track of all the predictions made in our mock drafts leading up to Round 1 on May 8.
March 5, 2014 — 2014 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 (Doug Farrar)
Round 1, pick 10: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
We said: Schwartz’s old team never really got over a lack of elite cornerback play during his time there, and in Gilbert, new head coach Jim Caldwell would have an impressive building block. Gilbert led the Big 12 with seven picks in 2013, and he really blew everyone away at the combine by running a 4.37 40 and looking very agile in drills. The tape matches up, and though Gilbert is prone to occasional lapses in consistency, he’s the most physically impressive cornerback in this class.
Feb. 26, 2014 -- 2014 NFL Mock Draft 5.0 (Chris Burke)
Round 1, pick 10: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
We said: Lions GM Martin Mayhew said during his combine presser that the franchise is confident in Chris Houston, expecting great things from Darius Slay and believes it has talent in Bill Bentley, Jonte Green and Chris Greenwood. In other words, they don’t appear to view cornerback as the pressing need others see it as.
Wide receiver, on the other hand, is a must. Mayhew and new coach Jim Caldwell both have spoken about the importance of finding someone to help Calvin Johnson. Bringing in Evans would create another NFC North WR duo similar to Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. Plus, Evans’ high-point catch ability would play well with Matthew Stafford’s gambler mentality.
Round 2, pick 45: Lamarcus Joyner, CB/S, Florida State
We said: The Lions still like the thought of a Chris Houston-Darius Slay combo at corner; Joyner would give them their slot guy and an option at safety, where Louis Delmas departed.
Feb. 19, 2014 – 2014 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 (Don Banks)
Round 1, pick 10: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
We said: Taking a receiver like Texas A&M's Mike Evans or Clemson's Sammy Watkins to draw some attention away from Calvin Johnson will be tempting in Detroit, but the need in the secondary will probably win out. Dennard is aggressive and instinctive in coverage, and he plays a physical style of ball despite not having great size by NFL cornerback standards. Both he and Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert have to be on the Lions' radar screens at No. 10.
Feb. 6, 2014 -- 2014 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 (Doug Farrar)
Round 1, pick 10: Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
We said: The Lions have a new head coach in Jim Caldwell, but the same old problem on defense — a group of cornerbacks that should surely play better given the amount of pressure provided up front. Dennard, the 2013 Jim Thorpe Award winner, would provide a home-state solution with the legitimate shutdown fluidity that makes him the best cornerback in this draft class.
Jan. 9, 2014 -- 2014 NFL Mock Draft 4.0 (Chris Burke)
Round 1, pick 10: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
We said: Watkins could climb higher than this (especially after that dominant bowl-game showing). He most likely will not fall much lower. Outside of Houston and Atlanta, pretty much any team above Detroit could justify nabbing the explosive Clemson wide receiver — and the Lions might be sick for years if Minnesota rolls the dice by pairing Watkins with Patterson.
If the Lions get their choice between Watkins, Evans and Marqise Lee, they’d be ecstatic. Watkins fits every need Detroit has across from Megatron.
Dec. 5, 2013 -- 2014 NFL Mock Draft 3.1 (Chris Burke)
Round 1, pick 21: Lamarcus Joyner, CB/S, Florida State
We said: The Mariota move really changed the gameplan here. As mentioned above, this spot initially was reserved for Dennard as a top-two corner. OLB Ryan Shazier could make some sense, but Detroit has a strong duo at linebacker in Stephen Tulloch and DeAndre Levy, plus spends a lot of time in nickel. So a swing for the fences with Joyner, an undersized (5-8) DB, who could be Detroit’s nickel starter or provide depth behind oft-injured Louis Delmas.
Sept. 24, 2013 -- 2014 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 (Chris Burke)
Round 1, pick 18: Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State
We said: The Lions have received pretty steady contributions from DeAndre Levy and Stephen Tulloch so far this year. Shazier could fill the remaining void as a steady, reliable, athletic tackler behind Detroit’s stalwart defensive line.
April 30, 2013 -- 2014 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 (Chris Burke)
Round 1, pick 11: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
We said:
Dee Milliner
