ESPN’s latest mock draft is raising some eyebrows with its prediction for the Detroit Lions’ first-round pick.
For most of the offseason, analysts have expected the Lions to target an edge rusher in the first round. But lately, some mock drafts have thrown out some unexpected picks. First, CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso predicted the Lions would go for Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III despite already having two 1,000-yard receivers. Now, ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum is taking it a step further, suggesting the Lions will draft Georgia safety Malaki Starks with the 28th pick.
There’s no doubt Starks is a talented player. He was a key part of Georgia’s defense as a freshman, helping them win a national title, and he earned All-American honors the next two seasons. Over his college career, he racked up 197 tackles, 17 pass deflections, and six interceptions.
The big question is: where would he even fit in Detroit? The Lions are already stacked at safety, with Kerby Joseph coming off a First-Team All-Pro season and Brian Branch earning a Pro Bowl nod. The only way this pick would make sense is if the team isn’t confident about re-signing Joseph, who is heading into the final year of his rookie deal. Otherwise, using a first-round pick on a backup doesn’t seem like the best move.
At the end of the day, the Lions have plenty of other areas to focus on in the draft. But if they do pick Starks, it could signal some bigger moves on the horizon.
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