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Breaking down Lions mock draft v1.0Mock Draft 1.0 on the Detroit Lions Podcast set the board with a clear priority. Offensive tackle at No. 17. The choice is Utah’s Caleb Lomu. The approach mirrors the current reality. Taylor Decker played through a shoulder injury and a potential retirement hovers. Operate as if Decker will not be back. If he returns, that is preferred. A rookie develops behind veterans and the line stays stout. This is about protecting Jared Goff and sustaining a top NFL front five.
Caleb Lomu scouting snapshotLomu brings outstanding athleticism and smooth movement in space. His footwork on the edge is clean. He rarely opens the gate and gives up the corner to bend rushers. He uses length well. If he is beaten initially, he shows quick reaction and recovers. That recovery mirrors what the Lions need on the left side. It also covers for breakdowns that happen on long downs. The cons are real. He will be 24 as a rookie, almost as old as Penei Sewell. He does not move people in the run game. Power rushers can get into his pads and walk him back. Functional strength must improve. Add eight to ten pounds and those issues tighten up. Among the two Utah tackles, Spencer Fano looks better right now. In two years, Lomu’s ceiling could be higher. Less mileage. More room to grow. The fit in Detroit works. The profile matches the offense and the locker room.
Derrick Moore’s Senior Bowl surgeDay two brings a Senior Bowl riser. Michigan edge Derrick Moore flashed an upper tier week. His Michigan tape had peaks and long quiet stretches. Splash or invisible. In Mobile he stacked more consistent reps. One stood out. Aligned on the edge, he collapsed the blocker inside and forced the run into the A gap. That is assignment sound football. That translates to the Lions front. It shows he can anchor, set an edge, and still chase. He is a little smaller for the role, but the technique win matters. The arrow is up.
What changes before the draftThis is an early guess. Only one mock each year reflects personal board. The rest project what the Detroit Lions will do. The NFL combine hits at the end of the month. Pro days follow. Those trips produce fresh data from scouts and coaches. Notes from the road sharpen the board and the next iteration gets tighter. For now, tackle at 17 with Lomu, then Moore as the front seven boost. Needs met. Upside secured. The plan holds until new information moves it.
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