Detroit Lions mock drafts: Miami's Brandon Harris more popular than UCLA's Akeem Ayers

Did you see on Thursday that ESPN draftnik Todd McShay has the Lions taking Colorado offensive lineman Nate Solder? I have the feeling many Lions fans believe the brain trust in Allen Park should be thinking defense.

After digging up a few more mock drafts, we find a few other "experts" have Detroit going with a defender in the first round.

Wesley Bunting, the director of college scouting for the National Football Post, published his predictions for the April draft on Yahoo! Sports. He has the Lions passing on Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara and taking Miami (Fla.) DB Brandon Harris.

Adding talent to the secondary has to be objective No. 1 for the Lions’ front office. Harris is a fluid, balanced kid with good speed and impressive ball skills. He has the ability to develop into a very good starting NFL corner.

Bunting isn't alone in his thinking. CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco, who's mock was published Thursday, has the Lions taking Harris, too.
The corner position is a big problem in the Lions defense. They have to upgrade this offseason. Harris makes sense, although there are some other possibilities at the position.

OK, OK, we get it. The Lions need some help in the secondary. But what about the linebacking corps? Foxsports.com's Peter Schrager recently posted his post-Super Bowl mock and thinks Detroit will take UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers.

He can play either the defensive end or outside linebacker spot, is a highlight waiting to happen and has no ceiling. Julian Peterson likely won’t be around much longer and the Lions could use a young, versatile linebacker to add to the unit. Ayers on that Ford Field carpet? It could be the perfect match.



(freep.com)