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Detroit Lions: 3 First-Round Draft Targets

Freddie Boston
Freddie Boston

NFL Spin Zone

Oct 18, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard Joshua Garnett (51) and offensive tackle Andrus Peat (70) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. The Sun Devils defeated the Cardinal 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions have a number of needs that they need to fill this offseason. As we move closer to the 2015 NFL Draft, we can begin to identify the players the Lions will be able to target with the 23rd overall pick.

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Before the draft kicks off in Chicago on April 30, the Lions have a few pressing issues to resolve. Top of the list is the future of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Suh could be set to become the highest paid defensive tackle in football.

Can the Lions afford to keep him?

According to Over The Cap, the Lions currently have approximately $18.44 million available in cap space. If Suh hits the market and a team with more money available such as the Oakland Raiders or Jacksonville Jaguars offers him a deal, it may be hard for the Lions to compete.Suh is among 23 Lions free agents, including fellow defensive lineman Nick Fairley and C.J. Mosley.

Back to the drat. So who are three players the Lions should target with their first pick?

Next: Who could fall to pick 23?

Oct 18, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) tries to avoid the sack from Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (90) during the first quarter at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

DT Eddie Goldman, Florida State

Even if Suh does return to the Detroit Lions, it seems improbable that Nick Fairley and C.J. Mosley would follow. The likelihood is that the Lions will need some help along the defensive line.

Aug 30, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (90) in action against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State’s Eddie Goldman would be a good fit for the Lions with the 23rd overall pick, and he should definitely be a player on their radar.

Goldman is an excellent run stopper as he plays with a lot of power. This would be an important trait in maintaining a top-tier run defense.

The concern lies with his pass-rush. Goldman racked up just six sacks in his three years with Florida State. It’s an area he would need to improve, but the Lions do host a group of talented pass-rushers already.

At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month, Goldman was asked about the prospect of playing in Detroit.

"“If I do get drafted to the Detroit Lions, I know I have to prove myself,” said Goldman to Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. “That’d be a great experience and a great learning opportunity."

Goldman is among the best of a deep class of defensive tackles. Even if Suh and Fairley are to remain in Detroit, it would be a smart move by general manager Martin Mayhew to take another dominant defensive lineman while he can.

Next: Some help on the offensive line?

Oct 25, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal offensive tackle Andrus Peat (70) prepares to block Oregon State Beavers linebacker D.J. Alexander (4) rush during the third quarter at Stanford Stadium. Stanford won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

OT Andrus Peat, Stanford

In 2014, the Detroit Lions’ offensive line allowed 45 sacks on quarterback Matthew Stafford. They also struggled in the run game, which ranked 28th in the NFL.

Oct 18, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Stanford Cardinal offensive tackle Andrus Peat (70) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. The Sun Devils defeated the Cardinal 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Stanford’s Andrus Peat could go a long way to shoring up the offensive line. Peat has great size at 6’7″ and 313 pounds. He has all the tools to become an excellent run-blocker, while being able to offer enough in pass-protection.

Coming out of Stanford, Peat will be able to start from week one in the NFL, and would be an ideal fit for the Lions in the first-round.

Peat is often projected to be selected in the first-round, and there is a chance he will be available for the Lions when they hit the clock with the 23rd-overall selection of the draft. If it seems likely he will be taken earlier, Martin Mayhew may consider trading up for him as he already looks ready to play at a pro-level.

Next: A potential star...

Nov 29, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 34-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin

While improving the offensive line play will help the ground game that struggled in 2014, the obvious solution is to draft a running back with star potential. With the release of Reggie Bush, there is an even greater need at the position.

Among a deep draft class at the position, Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon stands out as one of the best. A strength of Gordon’s is his speed, and he is able to use his long stride to break free in the open field.

When he gets into space, he has the ability to turn the play into a home run. Gordon was impressive at last month’s combine in Indianapolis.

Comparisons have been made between the Wisconsin star and Jamaal Charles with their similar run styles.

In his four years with Wisconsin, Gordon ran the ball 629 times for 4,915 yards and 45 touchdowns. That averages out to 7.8 yards per carry.

Due to the pool of running backs being so deep this year, the Lions may avoid the position in the first round and opt for a talented player later on such as Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah or Minnesota’s David Cobb. However, with the Lions’ ground game struggling in 2014, it would be hard to pass up the opportunity for a player like Gordon if he falls to them at No. 23.

Next: Detroit Lions: Seven-Round Mock Draft

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Freddie Boston

Freddie Boston

Freddie Boston is a Lead Editor for FanSided and has been covering the Green Bay Packers as the site expert at Lombardi Ave since 2016. He has written over 5,000 stories on the Packers and has previously covered the NFL for FanSided.com and NFL Spin Zone. In 2015, he was named the FanSided NFL Editor of the Year. Freddie has also covered Tottenham Hotspur for Hotspur HQ and the WWE for Daily DDT. Besides reminiscing about Jordy Nelson's greatest touchdown catches, Freddie is a lifelong Tottenham fan and regularly attends games.