2019 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions 7-round 2019 mock draft 1.0
By Zac Snyder
It can be difficult to know which way a team will go at certain times when the draft finally arrives, but it feels like need and value meet in a perfect way for the Lions to take a cornerback in the second round. Michigan State cornerback Justin Layne is one such possibility who checks all the boxes for the Lions. So him being available in this mock draft simulation made him an easy pick.
Layne seems to be the kind of guy the Lions would love with his size, length and ability to play in a variety of coverages. Some scouting reports will read like they are knocking his speed, but there shouldn’t be any concerns there after running the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds at the NFL Combine. In fact, Layne tested above average athletically across the board.
The Lions are set at one outside corner spot with Darius Slay and Bob Quinn has commented on the signing of Justin Coleman saying he sees Coleman as more of a slot corner. That leaves an outside spot wide open. Rashaan Melvin was brought in after the initial wave of free agency but his one-year deal suggests he is more of a stop-gap than anything. Beyond that, counting on the development of Teez Tabor and/or Mike Ford is a fool’s errand.
Quinn rightfully takes a lot of heat for his selection of Tabor in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Hitting on that pick might have taken the need for this pick off the table, but here we are. Mistakes will happen, but drafting Layne would be an opportunity for Quinn to not only admit his mistake, but show he has learned from it.