Lions Mock Draft Roundup: Beat Writers Release Post-Combine Picks

Detroit Lions beat writers release their post-combine projections.

It's time for the latest All Lions mock draft roundup.

Over the last week, an increasing number of mock drafts has targeted Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. at No. 6 overall for the Detroit Lions.

There have also been multiple projections that have the Lions selecting Texas running back Bijan Robinson at No. 18 overall.

Let’s explore now who the draft analysts have Lions general manager Brad Holmes selecting in the first round, starting with the No. 6 overall pick.

Quarterback Will Levis, Kentucky

Levis is presently being mocked by the following:

CBS Sports (Chris Trapasso)

As Trapasso pens,

"Here's how I'd link Levis to the Lions: Detroit's GM Brad Holmes was with the Rams organization forever -- dating back to the St. Louis days -- before taking the job in the Motor City. Guess who he spent three years with in Los Angeles? Liam Coen. Who's Liam Coen? Levis' former offensive coordinator at Kentucky. [Michael Scott voice]: Boom. Roasted."

Cornerback Joey Porter Jr., Penn State

Porter is presently being mocked by the following:

Pro Football Network (Kent Platte); Pro Football Network (Arif Hasan); SI NFL Draft Bible (Ric Serritella); *The Draft Wire (Luke Easterling) *indicates trade

As Hasan opines,

"Outside of quarterback, this is the top player that may have helped boost his profile at the NFL Combine. Not only did Joey Porter Jr. clock in with incredible, near-unbelievable measurables with his 34-inch arms and a well-built, 193-pound frame, but he ran well and recorded a 10’9” broad jump.

The presumed top cornerback, Christian Gonzalez, didn’t do poorly – his workouts were better than Porter’s – but the frame advantage Porter has could definitely appeal to a team like the Detroit Lions, who want to be as physical as possible. 

None of this disqualifies the Oregon cornerback, and he could easily be the Lions’ pick, but Porter fits the mold almost as well and has some intriguing play to offer."

Cornerback Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

Gonzalez is presently being mocked by the following:

The Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer); ESPN.com (Todd McShay); The Athletic (Dane Brugler); Pro Football Network (Dalton Miller); Tankathon; Walter Football (Walter Cherepinsky); CBS Sports (Kyle Stackpole); Walter Football (Charlie Campbell); *indicates trade

As Stackpole writes,

"Christian Gonzalez seems to have cemented himself as this classes' best cornerback after his showing at the NFL Combine. He tested really well and showcased smooth athleticism during on-field drills -- and that's in addition to displaying his ball-hawking skills this past season at Oregon. The Lions need more defensive playmakers, and Gonzalez fits the bill."

Cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Illinois

Witherspoon is presently being mocked by the following:

*CBS Sports (Josh Edwards); *The 33rd Team (Scouting Department); NFL.com (Lance Zierlein); Pro Football Focus (Mock Draft Simulator); MLive.com (Benjamin Raven); *indicates trade 

As Raven writes, 

"Devon Witherspoon is a stud when left alone on an island in man/press coverage. And he hits well above his weight class, reinforcing my belief this cornerback is an ideal fit for this team, not to mention Aaron Glenn’s system. And no minor hamstring issue at the combine will change my mind. Witherspoon wasn’t going to blow anyone away with his athletic testing. It’s all about the tape when looking at his game. He’s a sticky, feisty cornerback who has that special trait of knowing how to match and keep pace with receivers. Watch one game from 2022, and you’ll have a feel for his aggressive style."

Defensive lineman Myles Murphy, Clemson

Murphy is presently being picked by the following:

CBS Sports (Ryan Wilson)

EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech

Wilson is currently being mocked by the following:

The Draft Network (Jaime Eisner); Detroit Free Press (Dave Birkett); MLive.com (Kyle Meinke)

Let's turn our attention now to who the draft analysts have projected for Detroit at No. 18.

Defensive lineman Myles Murphy, Clemson

Murphy is presently being mocked by the following:

CBS Sports (Josh Edwards) 

Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh

Kancey is presently being picked by the following: 

The Athletic (Dane Brugler)

As Brugler pens,

"In his previous role, Lions general manager Brad Holmes was a driving force in the Rams drafting Aaron Donald. Fast-forward 10 years to the present and Pitt has produced another undersized defensive lineman that checks a lot of the same boxes. There is only one Donald, but Kancey has the quickness, play violence and work ethic that will appeal to Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell."

Linebacker Trenton Simpson, Clemson

Simpson is presently being mocked by the following: 

Pro Football Network (Kent Platte); *Pro Football Network (Arif Hasan); *indicates trade

Cornerback Deonte Banks, Maryland 

Banks is presently being mocked by the following: 

CBS Sports (Ryan Wilson); Detroit Free Press (Dave Birkett)

As Wilson writes,

"Maryland teammate and fellow CB Jakorian Bennett got much of the buzz in the fall, but Banks put together the type of season that will land you in the first-round conversation. He's a fluid athlete who is also a big, physical corner who can match up with NFL wide receivers."

Cornerback Joey Porter Jr., Penn State 

Porter is presently being mocked by the following: 

MLive.com (Kyle Meinke); The Draft Network (Jaime Eisner)  

Wide receiver Jordan Addison, USC

Addison is presently being mocked by the following:

Pro Football Focus (Mock Draft Simulator)

Cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Illinois

Witherspoon is presently being mocked by the following:

CBS Sports (Chris Trapasso)

EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa

Van Ness is currently being mocked by the following:

ESPN.com (Todd McShay); Pro Football Network (Dalton Miller); MLive.com (Benjamin Raven)

Running back Bijan Robinson, Texas

Robinson is currently being mocked by the following:

The Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer); The 33rd Team (Scouting Department); *The Draft Wire (Luke Easterling); NFL.com (Lance Zierlein); Walter Football (Walter Cherepinsky); Walter Football (Charlie Campbell); *indicates trade

As Easterling writes,

"After trading back for the second time, the Lions throw need out the window, and simply take the best player available. Robinson is a top-five talent in this draft, and with Jamaal Williams headed for free agency and D’Andre Swift struggling to stay healthy, he would give Detroit an immediate and long-term upgrade in the backfield."

Defensive lineman Bryan Bresee, Clemson

Bresee is presently being picked by the following:

Tankathon; CBS Sports (Kyle Stackpole)

Tight end Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

Mayer is currently being selected by the following:

NFL Draft Bible (Ric Serritella)