Just like last year, the Lions seem poised to trade down in the first round of the draft. They're picking seventh overall in a year where as many as five quarterbacks could go in the top 10.
With Jared Goff established under center for at least the next two seasons, it would behoove Detroit to move back and collect another pick or two.
Which is exactly what the Lions do in ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay's first two-round mock of the year.
McShay has three quarterbacks gone in the first three picks -- Trevor Lawrence to the Jaguars, Zach Wilson to the Jets and Mac Jones to the 49ers. And three pass catchers gone in the three picks after that -- Kyle Pitts to the Falcons, Ja'Marr Chase to the Bengals and DeVonta Smith to the Dolphins.
Which brings us to the Lions. McShay says they trade down to No. 8, allowing the Panthers to draft QB Trey Lance. Detroit picks up a third-round pick (No. 73) for its troubles, which would give the club five picks in the first three rounds.
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At No. 8, McShay says the Lions snag the last elite pass catcher in the board in Alabama's Jaylen Waddle to "fill a glaring void in the wide receiver room."
"Waddle is an elusive burner, giving new QB Jared Goff someone to look for early and often each week," McShay writes.
In six games last season at Alabama, Waddle caught 28 passes for 591 yards -- an average of more than 21 yards per catch.
In the second round, McShay sends Missouri ILB Nick Bolton to Detroit at No. 41 overall. He's the fourth player off the board at his position.
"Bolton could be the heir to the middle linebacker spot for Jamie Collins Sr.," writes McShay. "He shows range in coverage, strong tackling and an excellent ability to read the quarterback."
A two-time first-team All-SEC selection, Bolton led the conference in tackles in 2019 and ranked third in 2020. He'd join a new-look linebackers room in Detroit.