DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are on the clock.
The team has a late-round draft pick in 2017, sitting at No. 21 overall, right after the Denver Broncos, and before the Miami Dolphins.
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The 2017 NFL Draft is April 27 - April 29 in Philadelphia.
The team has many needs, including offensive line, secondary, and linebackers. Here's who the experts are picking for the Detroit Lions, and what they're saying:
Sports Illustrated: Sidney Jones, CB, Washington: There’s probably a better chance of Jones landing in the top 12 than sliding out of Round 1, which should tell you all you need to know about his talent level. He’s thin, at 180 or so pounds, but has height and a willingness to mix it up on the outside.
Bleacher Report: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan: Registered 94 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and 19 sacks during his career.
CBS Sports: Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan: Stellar play from quarterback Matthew Stafford has diverted attention from a Detroit pass rush that struggled with star Ziggy Ansah limited by an ankle injury. The Lions need not look far for help. Only emerging as a full-time starter for Michigan this season, Charlton developed into one of the country's better edge rushing prospects, boasting exciting initial quickness and bend given his 6-5, 272-pound frame.
Walter Football: Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida: The Lions have never replaced Ndamukong Suh or Nick Fairley, but here's their chance. Their defense has improved as the season has progressed, but it's still very weak on the defensive interior. Caleb Brantley is arguably the top player available.
SB Nation: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama: While Eric Ebron has statistically improved each season in the NFL, he’s still an inconsistent player. Howard is a sure-thing tight end who can catch and block. Having both Howard and Ebron on the field would create fun mismatches.
USA Today: Forrest Lamp, OL, Western Kentucky: A tackle in college, he probably projects to guard in the NFL due to his short arms. Either way, he's a fit for the Lions, who could lose the right side of their offensive line (T Riley Reiff, G Larry Warford) to free agency.
Pro Football Talk: Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford: Thomas played mostly on the interior for Stanford, even more impressive considering he’s only 270 pounds. That projects more to a 4-3 defensive end role on early downs where Thomas can add a strong run-stopping presence before kicking inside on passing downs to rush the passer where his 87.7 grade ranked fourth among interior defensive linemen.
ESPN: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee: Barnett isn't expected to put up big numbers during workouts, which could cause him to fall a bit in between now and late April. But he plays with good discipline, a consistent motor and impressive physicality. His production in the SEC the past three years is insane, including 52 TFLs and 33 sacks. The Lions have needs at every level of the defense, but pass-rusher tops the list.
Rotoworld: O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama: I know this will surprise many of you, but I think the Lions make tight end a priority this offseason. Not necessarily to replace Eric Ebron, but rather one to compliment him. Plus Howard is far more talented than Ebron.