Last Lions Mock Draft: Kayvon Thibodeaux has the 2nd place advantage

After months of speculation about what may be the most unpredictable NFL draft in years, you’ve probably heard enough. And we’ve said enough. So let’s get down to business.

With the help of The Draft Network’s (premium) simulator, we make one last attempt to find out how the Lions weekend will go.

Lions draft picks

Round 1, No. 2: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon

To be clear, we don’t know for sure, but if Travon Walker goes to the Jaguars at number 1, we would expect the Lions to drop to 2nd place Kayvon Thibodeaux and Aidan Hutchinson. It’s possible Hutchinson is the pick – his personality fits Dan Campbell’s culture and potential in Aaron Glenn’s defense cannot be ignored. The effect of Thibodeaux as the best pass rusher in this class can not. Thibodeaux’s game has yet to mature, but his athletic peak as a pass rusher feels higher. The Lions aren’t afraid of personalities and the culture in Campbell’s dressing room, if built right (so far so good), could be a great place for him.

Ultimately, we settled on Brad Holmes’ familiarity with Thibodeaux from years of scouting as the deciding factor here. But it is very difficult. – Nick Baumgardner

Round 1, #32: Trade to Saints for 49, 98, 2023 pick in the fifth round

Round 2, No. 34: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia

We were pretty determined to move away from No. 32, either up if Derek Stingley Jr., Kyle Hamilton or one of the top-tier receivers slipped, or down to hoard picks. However, the trade up options didn’t really materialize, hence the Saints trade. An alternative offer from the Seahawks, just to bite: #40, 145 and 229 for 32.

The board at 34 still featured linebackers from Cine, Georgia, Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, and receivers such as Christian Watson, Skyy Moore and George Pickens. Cine was the choice because of the dynamic combination he offers as an over the top security that can punch in the box. The Lions need to address this position in the draft and ideally do so before getting too deep into Day 2. – Chris Burke

Round 2, #49: Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming

Muma (6-3, 239) has long been one of our favorite stacked linebackers in this class – and there are several, including some (Christian Harris and Leo Chenal) that have been available to us here. But Muma can cover, he tackles everything and he plays his butt off. needs filled. Muma (a former safety) has the qualities to play alongside Derrick Barnes long-term — he also has the polish to compete with him for time as the Lions continue to expand their linebacker space.

For the wide receiver fans out there, we just missed Pickens and Watson here, having previously passed them on for Cine. — tree gardener

Round 3, #66: Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama

If the Lions sit out the top 40 receiver runs — there should be one in the top 20 and one in late Round 1/early Round 2 — then the top of Round 3 would be a good place to look should value. Our debate here ended with Tolbert or Cincinnati physical 6-3 receiver Alec Pierce.

Tolbert has more advantages as an all-around receiver, and the Lions really like his skills coming out of the Senior Bowl. He could also be dangerous off the slot as a vertical threat with great aerial control. —Burke

Coby Bryant would fit perfectly as Aaron Glenn Corner. (Matthew Emmons / USA Today)

Round 3, No. 81 (trade with Giants for Nos. 97 and 177): Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati

We decided we didn’t want to wait. Bryant is perfect, a Dan Campbell-Aaron Glenn corner all the way. A product of Ted Ginn Sr.’s famed Glenville High School program in Cleveland, Bryant is all about toughness and consistency. In short: he is a dog. All the Way. His testing characteristics are off the charts (4.54 40, 7.31 seconds tricone), but he’s really hard to beat in man coverage.

Maybe not the answer to any CB1 problems. But Bryant (6-1, 193) is a very good football player and a great competitor. He twice captained for a defense-first program going 22-2 in his last two seasons. — tree gardener

Round 3, #98: Luke Goedeke, OL, Central Michigan

Goedeke, a tight end turned tackle in Central Michigan who’s likely a keeper in the NFL, was one half of a standout offensive tackle duo for Jim McElwain and the Chips (opposite Bernhard Raimann), combining a wicked edge with athleticism. This Lions staff covets both in their offensive linemen, not one without the other. — tree gardener

Round 6, #181: Otito Ogbonnia, DT, UCLA

Another standout Senior Bowl – Ogbonnia played for the Jets staff on the national team roster. He’s a 324-pounder whose most natural fit is at nose tackle, where the Lions already have Alim McNeill and John Penisini as backups. In this defense, however, Ogbonnia can resemble the former more than the latter, meaning the lions could thrust out a little wider and let him attack some gaps. He can be explosive if timed right. —Burke

Round 6, #217: Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU

A Jamaal Williams-like option from Jamaal Williams’ alma mater. Allgeier is a big (224 pounds), patient back who would do well in Detroit’s running pattern, and he’s caught a total of 42 passes over his last two seasons. BYU even traded him to linebacker once in his career — he had 26 tackles in 2019.

This could also be a place for a tight ending. The Lions have yet to figure out the situation behind TJ Hockenson, so Nevada’s Cole Turner or even Michigan State’s hybrid fullback/tight end Connor Heyward could be appealing here. —Burke

Detroit Lions Final Mock Draft

Final Thoughts

Nick Baumgardner: After we traded 32 and saw what was available there, my exact quote (stealing from George Costanza) I believe was, “Oh, well, that’s all wrapped up now.” If I was picking at 2, maybe I would be Hutchinson take. But I think all three top players at the top will be very good. The rest of the board really clicked after this trade.

My final draft thought related to the Detroit Lions going into the event is this: Holmes and company now have a great opportunity to shorten this defensive rebuild. The board is deep where the Lions need it.

Chris Burke: I would still have Hutchinson as a very slight favorite to be the pick over Thibodeaux. But this, like the Lions design room, is a collaborative space. The rest flowed pretty well. My only concern was that by trading Bryant we would offset the gains made by pulling back from #32. However, I think it was worth it. I like this train.

(Top Photo: Tom Hauck/Getty Images)