Detroit Lions: 7-Round 2019 mock draft, version 2.0

The great thing about using a mock draft simulator to put together a mock draft like this is it replicates the real draft experience. I make the picks for the Lions, but have no control over what happens with the picks for the other 31 teams. There is no goosing the draft or cherry-picking players to fit what I want to happen. If a player is still on the board, I can take him. If not, tough luck.

Here is a case where I have a higher opinion of a player than the person putting together the big board the draft simulation is based on (Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller in this case). Penn State cornerback Amani Oruwariye was an easy pick for me here and I will be upfront that I don’t believe he will actually last until the third round, much less the Lions’ pick near the back of the third round.

Oruwariye is not the fleetest of foot, but overcame a slow start in his 40-yard dash to finish with a more than acceptable time of 4.47 seconds at the NFL Combine. Overall he checks out athletically to go with good ball skills. Some technique needs refinement but that should improve, especially since he was only a one-year starter for the Nittany Lions.

The Lions can show some patience following the signing of Rashaan Melvin rather than having to entrust the side opposite Darius Slay to a rookie right out of the gate.