Looking for a mock draft with an unusual wrinkle for the Detroit Lions? The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has one for you with his latest projections for the first round.
Brugler’s mock features several trades, including the Chicago Bears moving out of the No. 1 overall pick. The Lions get in on the trade action too, but not with their first selection.
That pick, No. 6 overall from the Rams, is devoted to cornerback Christian Gonzalez of Oregon. The gifted athlete offers the man coverage skills and ball production have cycled Gonzalez up the mock draft charts; he was routinely in the 15-25 overall range of most projections in the last month.
Where things get funky for the Lions is their own pick, No. 18 overall. In this early projection, the Lions trade up with the division rival Green Bay Packers to go land a quarterback.
Brugler sends the Lions picks at No. 18 and No. 48 overall to Green Bay for No. 15. It’s a move done to land the Lions talented but inexperienced Florida QB Anthony Richardson,
In last year’s first round, the Lions made a major trade with a division foe to move up for a high-upside offensive star (Jameson Williams). They could do it again this year and invest in their future at the quarterback position.
Thanks to his size, athleticism and arm, Anthony Richardson is a total freak show with a high ceiling, but he’s still figuring out how to be a consistent passer. Jared Goff’s presence would let Detroit develop Richardson at his own pace.
Expect to see a lot of projections in the coming weeks with Gonzalez and Richardson each headed to Detroit — including some in which both become Lions like this one.
