NFL offseasons simulations and NFL Mock Draft games

[chemiclord]

Well right now Sun God and Jameson under contract. Reynolds, Raymond and People-Jones are all FAs. Then you drop off to Antoine Green. Even if Detroit brings back Reynolds, going to need more than 3 good WRs.So drafting one should not be out of the question after dealing with IOL, CB and Edge in FA.draft.

As for Sainristill. I could see that as well. They have Sutton who is a CB2. Jacobs and Vildor should be depth and nothing more.They need to get CB1 (I think Fuller makes the more long term sense). Mosely and CJGJ are free agents. Kerby and Iffy are the starters and I think you are going to see Branch play more S next year. I signed 2 CBs in FA and drafted another that could be a CB1 long term (Rakestraw). I can see the case for MS being drafted if the Lions in the 2nd round opt for like a Kris Jenkins after taking IOL in the first.

The issue is that Wilson and Sainristil play roles that the Lions already have exceptionally high level of play from.

You draft Wilson, you're drafting Kalif Raymond's replacement. Draft Sainristil, you're drafting Will Harris's replacement. Because that's the role those guys fit; buried behind players already on the roster (and will be for a while), sitting on the bench getting occasional spot duty.

Which, at least seems to me, would be a bit of a waste of draft resources. Yes, depth is important... but the Lions do have some fairly immediate needs at starting positions.

[Mainevent]

Between all the mocks that I see with the Lions drafting Sainristil and/or Wilson... and it makes me wonder if these draftniks understand what positions Amon Ra St. Brown and Brian Branch play.

Yeah both good players but there are other priorities. Wilson can play outside, but would prefer a more physical prospect if they can. Sainristil is going in the 2nd most likely, so just not going to be a fit for a team looking for outside CB help.

Jenkins. Zinter and Barner are the Michigan players I’m interested in. I thought Barner would be a great 5th round target to add behind LaPorta, but some of these draft analysts can’t shut about him so maybe he’s just going to go higher than I expected.

[chemiclord]

I would agree with those three. Zinter is even the sort of guy that Holmes has traditionally entertained; a dude that has played at a very high level and will likely slide a bit due to injury.

I would only entertain someone like Wilson or Sainristil if FA proved to pull in a promising haul and there just simply wasn't anyone else on the draft board that Holmes liked, or if one of them inexplicably slid into late Day 2 or Day 3.

[froot loops]

I don't have a dog in the fight but the Lions seemingly prefer route running over size, so I think he is an option, but he's going to get picked higher than they would take him.

[Mainevent]

They've made some efforts to get bigger X WR types. We can ignore the first year fail shopping in the bargain bin, but they signed Chark, added Reynolds, drafted Green and traded for DPJ. They haven't invested big assets in the position, but they seem to recognize then need some more size. Williams is the only real asset they spent at the WR position and he wasn't picked because of his size or his precise route running.

[Whitley]

Yeah both good players but there are other priorities. Wilson can play outside, but would prefer a more physical prospect if they can. Sainristil is going in the 2nd most likely, so just not going to be a fit for a team looking for outside CB help.

Jenkins. Zinter and Barner are the Michigan players I’m interested in. I thought Barner would be a great 5th round target to add behind LaPorta, but some of these draft analysts can’t shut about him so maybe he’s just going to go higher than I expected.

Zinter is a guy I have a lot of love for. The path to him being drafted by the Lions would be if they don't address IOL in the first round AND there is a possible G starting spot open.i can see him in late second-early 3rd

[Mainevent]

The issue with Zinter to the Lions fit is that he’s a basically a pure guard. They might need to have a guy that can move into C or kick out to OT, and he really doesn’t have any experience at either.

[chemiclord]

Well, considering Jackson is likely gone at this point, an OG starter level specialist may just be who they're looking for.

[Mainevent]

Yeah so much will pivot on what happens in FA, and also about what they plan to do with Decker and how much Ragnow’s got left in him. Even if they don’t bring back Jackson, they may sign up another vet FA as a stop gap starter.

[Whitley]

The issue with Zinter to the Lions fit is that he’s a basically a pure guard. They might need to have a guy that can move into C or kick out to OT, and he really doesn’t have any experience at either.

Well that is why I keep drafting Graham Barton in the first. Also why even resigning Jackson , I signed another G that has flashed starting ability though is probably stretched there atm. And why I signed a T that has shown he can start even in the left side.

IF you think Ragnow and Decker are likely both gone with 2-3 years then it is a lot easier to resign Jackson.

[El Axe]

Barton has played a full season at both Center and tackle. Cooper Beebe has played full seasons at Tackle and Guard. Jordan Morgan has played exclusively tackle, but is very athletic and thought to be good to convert to guard. Zach Frazier and Jackson Powers-Johnson are athletic centers who project to being able to play guard.

These are all prospects that could be available around the end of round 1 -- in fact, I've seen each of them as a mocked Lions pick. Beebe is the only one who sometimes is available at the end of round 2.

These are all players that should be able to plug in as competent rookie starters at guard but could transition to center or tackle if we lose Decker or Ragnow at some point. Barton has the added bonus of being able to play every position on the line.

[Mainevent]

Ran a quick 3 rounder over at PFF. If we assume the reports of the Lions looking to add a top tier CB are true, that frees up the first rounder a bit.

29. Adonai Mitchell WR, Texas - thought it was too good to pass up, and actually took him over Brian Thomas of LSU. However I assume come draft day both of these guys will be long gone.

61. Christian Haynes, OG/OC, UConn - Senior bowl standout with versatility and a lot of upside. Could be the Ragnow replacement down the line.

73. Marshawn Kneeland, DE, WMU - another guy that seems like a stretch to make it this far after a strong combine, similar player to Paschal, but I think better upside as an NFL pass rusher.

92. Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame - this is the sweet spot I think for that developmental CB. Hart is a huge CB with long arms. Ran a 4.5 which is solid but had explosive jumps so he is athletic. There were 4-5 other CBs that could have gone in this spot.

[jaadam4]

I hope the Lions can nab Zinter with one of those 3rd rounders. He’d be f’ing awesome

[Blue Lagoon58]

Please no Sainristil in round 2. He played great at Michigan but he’s still a project and we’ve pissed away too many 2nd round players. Hard pass there

LOL, what? He's not a project in the least.

[froot loops]

He is probably the #1 nickel back in the draft coming out of the combine.