Detroit Lions select Laken Tomlinson No. 28 in 2015 NFL draft

Detroit Lions pick their starting left guard in Laken Tomlinson at No. 28 in the 2015 NFL draft.

Chris Burke | Apr 28, 2015

Detroit Lions select Laken Tomlinson No. 28 in 2015 NFL draft /

Prior to Thursday's first round, the Lions had, well, no one penciled in as their starter at left guard. They solved that problem in a big way—figuratively and literally—by selecting 330-pound Duke lineman Laken Tomlinson. The pick came at No. 28, five spots lower than Detroit's original slot. Denver moved up to No. 23 for Shane Ray, sending the 28th selection, a 2015 fifth-round pick, 2016 fifth-round pick and C/G Manny Ramirez to the Motor City. Ramirez projected as a potential Lions starter at guard for about 30 minutes, until Tomlinson's name was called.

Instead, Ramirez will offer depth behind a promising core of interior linemen: Tomlinson, 2014 center Travis Swanson and 2013 star guard Larry Warford. Tomlinson is an intelligent player (as his Duke education might indicate) and can dominate defenders at the line. He is not all that agile, but the Lions' system may not ask him to be. QB Matthew Stafford and Detroit's running backs should love this choice.

• 2015 NFL draft grades: Pick-by-pick analysis and scouting reports

Strengths: Dominant at times as a run-blocker in a phone booth—when he's in his gap and moving forward, Tomlinson is tough to deal with. Shows the potential for good form in pass-blocking and is very effective in zone-blocking when he keeps everything in front of him. Effective ability to move his man aside when he gets his arms locked in. Tremendous raw strength. Intelligent individual who wants to be a doctor with he's done with football. Looked good at the Senior Bowl against bigger players. Many of his technique flaws seem coachable.

Weaknesses: Has the position's physical characteristics and plays with a wide base, but doesn't take advantage nearly enough. Very inconsistent with his hands and placement—tends to stab instead of locking on, and will lose defenders to either side. Athletic enough to pull effectively, but needs to hit targets across the field and at the second level more often. Not a multi-read blocker at this point—needs to learn to keep his head on a swivel and re-direct with authority. Will occasionally lose power battles even when he's the low man, which is more about technique than strength. Not as much of a finisher as you'd like—once in a while, you want to see a guy this big just destroy inferior competition.

Player comparison: Trai Turner

Grade: A-minus

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2015 NFL Draft in Pictures

The stage prior to the start of the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago.

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Jameis Winston takes the call from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who made him the first pick.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans react after their team drafted former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston with the first overall pick during the NFL draft party in Tampa, Fla.

Jameis Winston posed for SI in his new team's jersey after he was taken No. 1.

Marcus Mariota at his draft party in Honolulu.

Washington defensive lineman Danny Shelton picks up NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he celebrates after being selected by the Cleveland Browns as the 12th pick.

Fans cheer after Kevin White of the West Virginia Mountaineers was picked seventh by the Chicago Bears.

Bears fans cheer Chicago's selection of Kevin White of West Virginia Mountaineers.

Dante Fowler with commissioner Roger Goodell after being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Stanford offensive lineman Andrus Peat, right, talks to Deion Sanders after being selected by the New Orleans Saints as the 13th pick in the first round.

Green Bay Packers fans cheer during the first round of the draft.

A look at some of the NFL team representatives at the draft.

Kentucky linebacker Bud Dupree celebrates after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 22nd pick in the first round.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans Keith Kunzig and David Miller are excited to have traveled from Florida to be at the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Shane Ray checks out his threads.

Leonard Williams is interviewed outside the draft venue before being taken by the New York Jets.

Jameis Winston waiting for the call.

The scene inside the Jameis Winston draft gathering.

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Marcus Mariotta in Hawaii before the first round began.

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Two Patriots fans in Chicago.

Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly arriving at the NFL Draft.

img_c019-5024.w.JPG — Todd Rosenberg for SI

Chicago mounted police before the first round commenced.

img_3bf6-3442.w.JPG — Todd Rosenberg for SI

Dante Fowler's shoes on draft night.

Chicago welcomed the NFL Draft with open arms.

The view from outside Roosevelt University Auditorium Theatre.

NFL prospect Trae Waynes of Michigan State talks to pediatric patient Alec Cabacungan while doing a mock interview during the NFL PLAY 60 activities at Shriners Hospital for Children on Thursday, April 30 in Chicago.

Published Apr 28, 2015

CHRIS BURKE

Chris Burke covers the NFL for Sports Illustrated and is SI.com’s lead NFL draft expert. He joined SI in 2011 and lives in Ann Arbor, Mich.