2021 NFL Mock Draft: Cowboys fix defense, Justin Fields slides to Broncos

7. Detroit Lions: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

From one Alabama wideout to another. Jaylen Waddle is the next player to come off the board as he gets passed up by his former teammate, DeVonta Smith but still lands in the top-10 as the Detroit Lions take him at No 7. Waddle was ahead of Smith entering the season when it came to pro prospects, due in large part to his ability to get deep.

After Jerry Jeudy and Henry Rugs III went pro last season, it was supposed to be Waddle who took off. Unfortunately for him, an ankle injury slowed him down and held him to just six games this season. His numbers in those games were solid, finishing with 591 yards and four touchdowns on 28 receptions — most impressively, he had an average of over 21 yards per catch. He also risked further injury to play in the NCAA Championship Game despite being clearly hobbled which shows his desire to be on the field.

Looking ahead to his prospects as a pro, Waddle still looks like a game-changer. He’s listed at just 5-foot-10 and 183-pounds but he can absolutely fly past the defenders. He’s also a solid route runner overall with great hands.

For the Lions, he fills a huge need. They lost Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones in free agency and are pretty thin at wide receiver. They’re also shifting from Matthew Stafford under center to Jared Goff, so it won’t be as easy to move the ball without some star playmakers at receiver.