Looking for something completely different in the mock draft-o-sphere in the final days leading into the 2019 NFL Draft? Peter King of NBC Sports offers just that in his final (and only) mock draft for the Detroit Lions at No. 8 overall.
King plucks a name that appears to be unprecedented in any mock draft for the Lions this year: Florida OT Jawaan Taylor.
The prediction comes with a condition, however…
I will be surprised if the Lions pick Taylor here. The Lions want to trade out, and this is the area for the first offensive lineman—Taylor or Jonah Williams or, in what may be a stretch, Andre Dillard—to be picked. Could be Jacksonville, could be Buffalo, or it could be whoever picks at eight. (Man, I’m really selling Taylor to the Lions!) I just can’t figure out which team will jump up here.
Taylor has been a popular projection to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who select at No. 7 overall. But in King’s scenario, the Jaguars jump on Iowa TE T.J. Hockenson — a common selection for the Lions — and leave it to Detroit GM Bob Quinn to take the best deal possible at the No. 8 spot.
The Florida right tackle has brute power and might be the best run-blocking tackle prospect in this draft. His size and length don’t project all that well to kick inside to right guard, unlike college tackles Jonah Williams or Dalton Risner.
