We’re early into mock draft season, with our weekly roundups tracking picks for the Detroit Lions running for only less than a month.
But one trend that caused MLive’s Dungeon of Doom podcast to push back has been all the first-round cornerback projections. Hosts Kory Woods and Ben Raven discussed the pros and cons of that direction, but ultimately disagreed with that thinking.
Woods and Raven also discussed Dan Skipper joining the coaching staff, the NFLPA report cards getting pushback from the league, thoughts from the Super Bowl and how much cap space the Lions can create.
“I mean, today’s list was all edge rushers and offensive linemen and, honestly, there’s been too many cornerbacks for my liking on those roundups in recent weeks. The Lions should not be taking a cornerback in the first,” Raven said on the show.
“They’re starting (DJ) Reed and (Terrion) Arnold at outside cornerback next year. Like, that’s happening … I also think Brad Holmes is a little, he ain’t going to wave the white flag on Arnold or (Ennis) Rakestraw yet. They just went back-to-back in the first two rounds two years ago.”
Raven and Woods did give the mock drafters credit for at least finding schematic and stylistic fits like Aveion Terrell (Clemson) and Brandon Cisse (South Carolina). They also noted how a slot cornerback with experience on the inside and outside would make a ton of sense — just not in the first round. The hosts even pointed to linebacker as a potential greater need, depending on what happens with Alex Anzalone, for a defense that lived in base defense.
The pass defense struggled, no doubt. But, once again, injuries were a key issue with Reed and Arnold, not to mention safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph missing extended time due to injuries.
“I don’t understand cornerback. If and again, even when we were talking about getting a safety, which they do need, we were talking about it in later rounds, not the first several rounds need to be focused on offensive line and edge rushers,” Woods said.
“I was going to say, and I also believe that if you improve that pass rush, it takes a lot more pressure off of that secondary having to do so much work. So I think, I mean, you know, that’s just my opinion of it. I don’t think you really need to go… Blow up the entire secondary right now.”
See below to listen to the latest episode of the Dungeon of Doom podcast. We’ll be back to preview the combine next week. Please continue to send mailbag questions in written form or recorded voice memo to dungeonofdoom@mlive.com: