IKEM EKWONU

In an NFL draft focused early on stoppers, it was the goers — wide receivers — who stole the spotlight Thursday night.

One player has been off-limits for Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel when preparing for the NFL draft with general manager Jon Robinson: Tyler Vrabel.

If true, the Lions can hop into a gondola at the Bellagio and run their selection to Roger Goodell right now. Hutchinson is probably the safest pick of them all, and especially for where the Lions is at right now in this rebuild. Cincinnati, on the other hand, can’t afford to leave this draft without material upgrades in its protection for Joe Burrow. Linebacker is a big need, but then again, so is safety, where the Lions have Tracy Walker and not much else. He’s long, he’s fast, he hits hard, and he can play all over the defense.

The Detroit Lions have been so bad in recent years, winning an average of four games since 2018, that they desperately need an influx of talent at a lot of positions on both sides of the ball.

Quarterbacks Malik Willis and Matt Corral are among 21 prospects who will attend the NFL Draft in Las Vegas later this month.

ESPN got the week started with Mel Kiper’s second mock draft of the offseason. Kiper sent Michigan star Aidan Hutchinson to the Detroit Lions at Pick 2. He had Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral at Pick 32. Mock drafts from around the country have seemed locked into sending a quarterback to the Lions through Pick 32. Kiper had North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell to the Lions through his first mock draft.

Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and Alabama teammates Will Anderson Jr. and Jameson Williams have been selected All-Americans by The Associated Press.