If only Mel Kiper Jr. were running the NFL Draft. In his latest two-round mock for ESPN, the Lions get an "A draft grade" for a four-player haul headlined by Alabama defensive end Will Anderson.
Anderson falling to Detroit at No. 6 is a longshot. Kiper sees it happening if four quarterbacks go in the first four picks, with Tennessee trading up with Arizona from No. 11 to No. 3, and if Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter goes No. 5 to Seattle.
At that point, Lions GM Brad Holmes wouldn't think twice. In fact, he'd likely get reprimanded by the NFL for turning in his first-round pick too quickly for the third year in a row.
Kiper says he loves the "potential pairing of Anderson on the other side of Aidan Hutchinson." Who doesn't?
"That's a scary edge rushing duo. In 2021, Anderson's 79 QB pressures ranked first in the country, while Hutchinson was second with 64. ... These two know how to get after quarterbacks," Kiper writes. "For a Detroit team without many available starting spots on its roster, this would be a tremendous selection."
Anderson, the two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, would be joining a defense in Detroit that ranked last in the NFL last season, but played much better down the stretch and just made several upgrades to the secondary in free agency. Anderson would add a potential star to an ascending defensive line. It would be a can't-miss pick for Holmes and the Lions, even if it remains a little far-fetched.
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At No. 18, Kiper sends another potential star to Detroit: Texas running back Bijan Robinson. Just like his colleague Todd McShay did last week.
"Why? Because he'd be better in 2023 than D'Andre Swift, who is a free agent next year, and because he'd bring a receiving threat to the offense that free agent signing David Montgomery just doesn't have," writes Kiper. "Robinson is a luxury pick, but the Lions really don't have that many needs. They can afford a luxury selection here."
The Doak Walker Award winner last season as the best running back in the country, Robinson averaged 6.3 yards per carry over three seasons at Texas. He could be a game-changer in Detroit behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
With the Lions' first second-round pick, Kiper goes back to the defense for Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell at No. 48. Kiper says Campbell "opened up some eyes at the combine" and while he has some limitations in speed, he has the size and strength to "be an asset on early downs as a run stopper."
"He's a great tackler," writes Kiper. "In Detroit, he could compete with Alex Anzalone in the middle of the defense."
And with Detroit's other second-rounder at No. 55, Kiper takes Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, "a speedy 6-foot wideout who had 11 touchdowns while lined up in the slot last season." Hyatt caught 67 passes for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns overall last year and would enhance a receiving corps in Detroit headlined by Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
"All four of these prospects," says Kiper, "would play early and often" for the Lions. Too bad he's not running the draft.