2017 Detroit Lions NFL Mock Draft roundup 3.0

Who will Lions take with 21st pick?

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are on the clock.

The team has a late-round draft pick in 2017, sitting at No. 21 overall, right after the Denver Broncos, and before the Miami Dolphins.

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The team has many needs, including offensive line, secondary, and linebackers.

Here's who the experts are picking for the Detroit Lions, and what they're saying:

Bleacher Report: Tim Williams, LB, Alabama: The linebacker is quick as lightning and slippery as an eel working his way around offensive tackles. However, three issues come up regarding Williams' draft status: age, usage and history. Only one of those issues can be answered in Indianapolis as teams grill the defender about an earlier gun charge during interviews. His age—he turns 24 years old in the fall—and the fact he only played part time for the Crimson Tide can't be, though. 

Detroit Free Press: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford: McCaffrey had 590 carries the last two seasons, he's a fantastic athlete and a matchup problem. 

Walter Football:  Adoree Jackson, CB/KR, USC: The Lions have two terrific cornerbacks in Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson, but there's very little depth behind the two, which is not good when trying to defeat the Packers. Plus, Lawson is entering his contract season. Teams think very highly of Adoree Jackson, so he could go much earlier than this; I had him slotted at No. 15 to the Eagles in a previous update.

NFL.com: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama: Humphrey's tape can be a little uneven when he has to guard down the field, but he should put on a show at the combine and get DB coaches excited about his potential.

CBS Sports: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee: Detroit needs to address the issues at cornerback, but upgrading the pass rush with an edge rusher like Barnett will impact the back seven as well.

FOX Sports: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida: I’m a lot higher than others on Davis, and I think others will come aboard as we get closer to the NFL Draft. Davis battled injuries in 2016 but has the full arsenal of tools and can play right away at the next level. The Lions got by in 2016 despite injuries across the defense. They load up this offseason. Davis is the crown jewel.


About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.