Detroit Lions Three Round Mock Draft 2.0

The NFL Draft order will be set next Sunday when Super Bowl LII concludes, but the Detroit Lions already know where they’re going to pick. I’m back with another Detroit Lions mock, and my first one can be found by clicking here. There will be notable changes between the first and second one, so if you didn’t like the first, hopefully this one is your cup of tea.

1st Round: Detroit Lions select Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan

I mocked Alabama’s Da’Ron Payne in my last one because I felt he was a better fit, but after thinking it through, I’m going with Hurst here. His stats dom’t leap off the page at you, but he’s been on a line with Rashan Gary, who commands a lot of attention. Playing in a 3-tech in Detroit, Hurst would be paired with another tackle who commands a lot of attention in A’Shawn Robinson. That pairing would give opposing offensive coordinators nightmares.

2nd Round: Detroit Lions select Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida

Mike Hughes has a second round grade from a lot of people, but I feel like he’s underrated. He’s an extremely explosive player, especially as a returner. In addition, he also has great closing speed and gives 110% on every play. The defensive back does need to add strength to make up for his lack of ideal size, and he really needs to work on keeping his head up when tackling, but I believe Hughes has a future in the NFL. I have him mocked here now because the second round is where a lot of scouts think he’ll go, but I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he was able to slide into the late first round.

3rd Round: Detroit Lions select Dorance Armstrong Jr., DE/OLB, Kansas

There are a lot of great edge and interior defensive linemen in this draft, but I haven’t found one that jumps out at you like Dorance Armstrong Jr. Maybe it’s due to a lack of talent around him at Kansas, but he definitely catches your eye. His projected 40-time is a 4.60, but he looks a lot faster on film. He shreds blocks with ease and is just absolutely relentless. I think he’ll play as a DE in the NFL, but the Lions need both a DE and OLB, so they can plug him in wherever. Although it is still possible that Detroit brings back Ziggy Ansah for another year, it wouldn’t hurt to add some depth and select Armstrong here. If Ansah doesn’t return, I believe Armstrong could start or be a reliable part of a rotation at one of the end positions.

That’s it for my second mock. Hopefully you enjoyed this one better than the first one. The NFL Combine begins on March 2nd and runs through the 5th, and that’s more than likely when my next Lions mock will come. I will join fellow writers on the site for a collaboration NFL First Round Mock Draft, date TBD, but be on the lookout for that.

Follow Tristin McKinstry on Twitter @SickeningSum86 and follow The Athletes Hub on Twitter @HubOfAthletes.

Featured Photo Credit: Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press