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NFL Mock Draft 2014: Detroit Lions Select Mike Evans

With the tenth overall pick in the 2014 Canal Street Chronicles community mock draft, the Detroit Lions (represented by Monkey Poop Battle) select...

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

The Detroit Lions are not in need of a first round wide receiver, per se. They just signed former Seattle Seahawk Golden Tate to a five year deal worth $31 million ($13.25 million guaranteed). Kris Durham had nearly 500 reception yards last year, and they just re-signed acceptable fourth option Kevin Ogletree to a one year deal. Oh yeah, they also have some guy named Calvin Johnson catching passes. I've heard he's okay.

The way this mock draft has fallen, there are some interesting defensive options still available for the Lions. Many would say linebacker Anthony Barr from UCLA is the most talented player left on the board. Others think he has a pretty high bust probability (though the potential upside is high enough that it might not matter). The Lions also need a talent infusion to the secondary. Safety is a weak spot, and the best safety prospect in Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is still on the board. There are some cornerbacks available (Darqueze Dennard being the consensus best still on the board).

Despite those options, I project that the Lions would select Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans if the draft fell this way. At 6'5" and about 230 pounds, he has the build to give short cornerbacks nightmares as he snags in jump balls from Stafford. With defenses keyed in on Calvin Johnson, and to a lesser extent Golden Tate, Evans should have room to contribute from day one. The Lions might be interested in trading up to grab Sammy Watkins, but Evans would be a solid consolation prize, and one that wouldn't require giving up draft picks if he falls to them at the 10 spot.

This would represent the fifth wide receiver that the Lions would spend a top 10 draft pick on in the past 11 years (so far they are batting .250 on that front). That shouldn't dissuade them from grabbing the guy who won Johnny Football a Heisman.

But don't trust me. Let's check in with our friend about this pick. Hey Matt! What do you think about the Lions drafting another wide receiver?

Matt-millen-is-a-drake-fanboy_medium

via usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com

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Thanks to all the CSC members who participated in this year's community mock draft. Without your help, none of this would be possible.

Below are the complete results from our community mock draft.

Catch up with all of the mock draft selections in our 2014 CSC Community Mock Draft Hub.

Pick Team Selection Team Representative Approval Rating
1 Houston Texans QB Teddy Bridgewater - Louisville
Tee Word 30%
2 St. Louis Rams DE Jadeveon Clowney - South Carolina Kevin Sean Held 57%
3 Jacksonville Jaguars QB Johnny Manziel - Texas A&M Alex Swift 59%
4 Cleveland Browns WR Sammy Watkins - Clemson Shadow Flash 80%
5 Oakland Raiders LB Khalil Mack - Buffalo Khannar 71%
6 Atlanta Falcons OT Greg Robinson - Auburn Dave Choate 80%
7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Blake Bortles - UCF russty 31%
8 Minnesota Vikings CB Justin Gilbert - Oklahoma St. JackMarzullo
9 Buffalo Bills OT Jake Matthews - Texas A&M Letloosethedogsofwar
10 Detroit Lions WR Mike Evans - Texas A&M Monkey Poop Battle
11 Tennessee Titans
Lostastic
12 NY Giants
Khannar
13 St. Louis Rams
hooahsaint2.0
14 Chicago Bears
BlackandGold4ever
15 Pittsburgh Steelers
saintmanumit
16 Dallas Cowboys
Ryan Edwards
17 Baltimore Ravens
Tee Word
18 NY Jets
Monkey Poop Battle
19 Miami Dolphins
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20 Arizona Cardinals
Alex Swift
21 Green Bay Packers
BlackandGold4ever
22 Philadelphia Eagles
organictallman
23 Kansas City Chiefs
coldpizza
24 Cincinnati Bengals
coldpizza
25 San Diego Chargers
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26 Cleveland Browns
Shadow Flash
27 New Orleans Saints
Dave Cariello
28 Carolina Panthers
Ryan Edwards
29 New England Patriots
Shadow Flash
30 San Francisco 49ers
saintmanumit
31 Denver Broncos
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32 Seattle Seahawks
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