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Pre-Combine Focus on Pick 17Jeff Risdon set the stage on the Detroit Lions Podcast with a clear mission. It is Friday, February 20, and the NFL Combine is next. He heads to Indianapolis early tomorrow. The focus is pick number 17 for the Detroit Lions.
Interest around that slot is intense after Daniel Jeremiah’s press conference. Based on current projections, five names stand out heading into the week. The board can change after testing and interviews. For now, these are the most likely targets.
Keldric Faulk fits the Lions’ blueprintAuburn edge Keldric Faulk leads the defensive options. He plays with power to speed and a crush-the-can style that pairs with Aidan Hutchinson. He is 20 years old. He owns exceptional football character. He was a team captain and a culture builder by reputation.
Production has not matched traits yet. Auburn used him as an end in a three man front last season, not a four man front. That put him in the b gap and exposed him to extra blockers from guards and tackles. His get-off is not twitchy, but he showed late-season growth shedding outside blocks and finishing. He has workable pass rush moves. Athletically, he compares favorably to Levi Onwuzurike.
If the Lions go defense at 17 and skip offensive tackle, Falk is the pick on this pre-combine board. He sits as No. 22 overall here, so it would be a slight reach. The combine could tighten that gap.
Tackles on the board: Monroe Freeling, Blake MillerGeorgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling surged after Jeremiah’s praise. He is a left tackle who has played some right tackle. He is long and balanced. His pass protection improved over the season. He stays square with shoulders, hips, and feet aligned to the rusher. That trait shows up in elite NFL tackles.
Fraley’s run blocking needs cleaner technique. He lunges more than he attacks at times. Still, the pass pro floor and size profile fit what the Detroit Lions value.
Right tackle Blake Miller, from Clemson, is gaining momentum as the Combine nears. His name rose alongside Freeling in recent conversations. If Detroit prioritizes tackle at 17, both belong in the discussion.
TJ Parker’s surge and Hatten Proctor’s caseClemson edge TJ Parker used the Senior Bowl to recharge his stock. He looked more like the early-season version of himself and answered some questions. He slots into the edge mix behind Falk as a viable play at 17 if the board breaks right.
Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor continues to land in mocks for Detroit. He remains a frequent projection even if the preference leans elsewhere. The buzz is steady enough that he cannot be ignored at 17.
This is the pre-combine snapshot. Testing, medicals, and interviews in Indianapolis will move names up and down. For now, those are the five most likely paths for the Detroit Lions at pick number 17.
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