By Farhan Coleman
It’s almost time people, the NFL draft is upon us. This Thursday at 8pm, the biggest and brightest stars from college football will eagerly await to hear their names called by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The Cleveland Browns currently hold the number one overall pick after going 1-15 this past season. The rest of the top ten includes The San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Buffalo Bills.
The Lions hold pick number 21 after going 9-7 and making the playoffs. Most of their biggest needs lie on the defensive side of the ball, which is great for them considering that this year’s draft class has no shortage of defensive talent. If you asked Lions fans, all of them have different opinions on who the Lions should take in the first round. Senior Jimi Kandah thinks the Lions should focus solely on defense. “I believe we should target a cornerback or a linebacker,” Kandah said. He believes linebacker/safety Jabrill Peppers would best fit those needs Senior Matt Ford was pretty adamant when asked what position he believes the Lions should focus on in the draft. “Defensive backs for sure,” said Ford. “We need some defensive backs.” Ford had a very specific player in mine with respect to which defensive back the Lions should take. “The long bodied, 6’3 dude from UConn who ran like a 4.3,” said Ford (he’s referring to Obi Melifonw). Senior Joel Sokolowski is convinced that the Lions should focus on improving their rushing attack. “They should pick a running back (specifically Dalvin Cook),” said Sokolowski. Some of the players that many draft analysts believe the Lions might take include Reuben Foster, Hassen Reddick, Jarrad Davis, Taco Charlton, Takkarist McKinley, Charles Harris, and Derek Barnett. Senior Jacob Downey agrees with these analysts, stating that he wants the Lions to take a linebacker like Hassan Reddick.
Here’s is a mock draft that reflects how I believe things might play out on draft night.
- Cleveland Browns – Myles Garrett, DE
- San Francisco 49ers – Solomon Thomas, DE
- Chicago Bears – Jamal Adams, S
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Leonard Fournette, RB
- Tennessee Titans – Marshon Lattimore, CB
- New York Jets – O.J. Howard, TE
- Los Angeles Chargers – Malik Hooker, S
- Carolina Panthers – Jonathan Allen, DT
- Cincinnati Bengals – Derek Barnett, DE
- Buffalo Bills – Mike Williams, WR
- New Orleans Saints – Marlon Humphrey, CB
- Cleveland Browns – Mitchell Trubisky, QB
- Arizona Cardinals – Haason Reddick, LB
- Philadelphia Eagles – Christian McCaffrey, RB
- Indianapolis Colts – Takkarist Mckinley, DE/OLB
- Baltimore Ravens – Corey Davis, WR
- Washington Redskins – Reuben Foster, LB
- Tennessee Titans – John Ross, WR
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Dalvin Cook, RB
- Denver Broncos – Ryan Ramczyk, OT
- Detroit Lions – Charles Harris, DE
- Miami Dolphins – Cam Robinson, OT
- New York Giants – David Njoku, TE
- Oakland Raiders – Taco Charlton, DE
- Houston Texans – DeShaun Watson, QB
- Seattle Seahawks – Forrest Lamp, OG
- Kansas City Chiefs – Malik McDowell, DT
- Dallas Cowboys – Tre’Davious White, CB
- Green Bay Packers – T.J. Watt, LB
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Jarrad Davis, LB
- Atlanta Falcons – Garett Bolles, OT
- New Orleans Saints – Adoree Jackson, CB
The Call 