ESPN’s latest mock draft has the Lions making a head-scratching first-round pick—Georgia safety Malaki Starks. No doubt, the guy is talented. He started as a freshman on a national title-winning defense and racked up All-American honors two years in a row. But here’s the thing—the Lions already have two star safeties in Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. Joseph was an All-Pro last season, and Branch made the Pro Bowl, so safety isn’t exactly a position of need.
Unless Detroit is worried about Joseph’s contract situation—he’s in the final year of his rookie deal—this pick doesn’t make a ton of sense. The Lions have bigger needs, especially on the defensive line, so most expect them to go in a different direction on draft night.
ESPN Mock Draft Has Lions Adding Two-Time All-American to Stacked Position
