Detroit Lions: 7-Round 2019 NFL mock draft, version 4.0

The Detroit Lions’ wide receiver group faces questions in the future with Kenny Golladay the only player already in place who figures to be in the long-term plans. The Lions have an opportunity to be proactive instead of reactive to that situation with Deebo Samuel here. Put Golladay on the outside and Samuel in the slot and wide receiver might not need to be a draft need for a number of years.

It may not be fair to directly label Samuel a Golden Tate replacement given all that Tate has accomplished in his career, but it is easy to envision him filling that kind of role for the Lions. Scouting reports note Samuel’s willingness and proficiency working the middle of a defense and at his best when the ball is in his hands. Sounds a lot like Tate, if you ask me.

Samuel has battled some leg injuries during his college career, including a broken leg and hamstring ailments. That could be cause for concern for teams looking to draft Samuel but sometimes injuries are just a matter of bad luck rather than warranting of the “injury prone” label.

There is a lot to like about Samuel’s fit with the Lions, even though we don’t know exactly how the offense will look like in the first year under Darrell Bevell. However, an emphasis on running the ball could create opportunities to get the ball in his hands on play action. Samuel wouldn’t be put in a position where he becomes a focal point of the offense but there could be a lot of creative ways Bevell tries to get the ball in Samuel’s hands.