APC Community Mock Draft: The Lions are up next with pick #7

We’re up to pick number 7 in the APC Community Mock Draft! The Dolphins’ trade down ultimately worked out in our mock, as they were able to come away with Ja’Marr Chase. While the LSU WR sat out the 2020 season, he was critical to the record-breaking LSU offense in 2019 and Tua Tagovailoa will certainly welcome his big-play ability.

The Lions are on the clock now and are looking for an infusion of talent on both sides of the ball. Newly acquired QB Jared Goff would love to get a weapon with this pick after the Lions let Kenny Golladay go this offseason. But the Lions could decide that protecting their new QB is paramount. Here’s how things have played out so far:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
2. New York Jets - Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
3. San Francisco 49ers - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
4. Atlanta Falcons - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
5. Cincinnati Bengals - Penei Sewell, OL, Oregon
6. Miami Dolphins - Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Now, let’s take a look at the Lions’ options.

DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

In 2021, Smith had a season for the ages as he became the first wideout to win the Heisman Trophy in 30 years (Desmond Howard, 1991) and the first player at any position other than quarterback or running back to win it since Charles Woodson in 1997. The featured weapon in the Crimson Tide’s passing game, Smith’s speed and refined route-running fueled him to 117 receptions for over 1,800 yards and 23 scores, adding one more on the ground. The questions about him are almost entirely about his physical build; can a 6-foot-1, 170-pound receiver hold up in today’s NFL?

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

The other part of the Crimson Tide’s terrifying receiver tandem in 2020 is Waddle, who had a tremendous freshman year in 2018. He was actually the Tide’s second-leading receiver that year, behind Jerry Jeudy and ahead of DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs. He took a step back to option number 4 in 2019, but was an exceptional deep threat again in 2020 before a broken ankle sat him down for the second half of the season. He did not work out at Alabama’s Pro Day, but he has blistering speed that should make him an elite deep threat on day one.

Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

One of the most athletic tackle prospects in NFL history, Slater comes out of Northwestern as a three-year starter with experience on both sides of the line. Fans of Slater like to point to game tape from 2019, when he largely shut down Ohio State’s Chase Young (the #2 pick in last year’s draft). There’s no question he has all the athleticism you could look for in a top tackle prospect, with a RAS of 9.70 and elite numbers at every Pro Day test; he’s just a little on the smaller side at just 6-foot-4-¼ and 304 pounds, and that could have some teams shying away from him a bit.

With the 7th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select...

Will the Lions decide to replace Kenny Golladay’s production with one of the electric Alabama wideouts? Or will they begin their rebuild by strengthening the tackle spot and protecting Jared Goff? Be sure to vote here and on Twitter @acmepackingco and check back at 4 PM EST as we run down the options for the Carolina Panthers at pick 8.