NFL Mock Draft 2016: Detroit Lions Select Taylor Decker

Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State

One of the biggest stories for the Detroit Lions, and really the entirety of the NFL this offseason, was the retirement of Calvin Johnson, one of the premier wide receivers of this era.  However, I avoided drafting a wide receiver in the first round, despite the presence of Laquon Treadwell, for a couple of reasons: namely, Detroit's existing receiving corps, including Golden Tate and the recently signed Marvin Jones and Jeremy Kerley, and the fact that Matthew Stafford was sacked 44 times in 2015, with Riley Reiff, who is a free agent in 2017, and Michael Ola as their starting offensive tackles.

Picking Taylor Decker helps to alleviate the pressure issues and will give Stafford time to find not-Calvin Johnson in the passing game.  Decker would join the Lions with three years of starting experience on one of the better collegiate teams in the past few years, having stayed for his senior year despite being projected as a late-first round pick as a junior.  He plays with a tough demeanor, delivering nasty blocks not just to defensive linemen but also on the second level.  As an added bonus, scouts believe he exhibits enough leadership qualities and locker room presence to become an immediate leader along an offensive line, something that I'm sure the Lions would not mind having added to their offense.  Although he might not be the most athletic offensive tackle in this draft, his intangibles and football smarts should cover for that and allow him to be a productive tackle for the Lions.  This pick makes even more sense when one considers that Reiff, the current starter at left tackle, is a free agent in 2017, which would only exacerbate the current problems along the offensive line.

While Taylor is not generally considered to be an elite player in this draft class, he is seen as having a very high floor, and should start in the NFL for a long time.  With this pick, the Lions should have a solution at one of their tackle spots for a long time in the future.

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