There's an increasing amount of smoke surrounding Kadyn Proctor and the Lions. Is there fire?
The Lions have a long-term need at offensive tackle, and Proctor arguably has the highest ceiling of any tackle in this year's draft. He has the size and athleticism of a top-five pick. But Proctor also has a lower floor than some of his peers, given the weight issues he faced at Alabama and concerns about his technique.
The Lions, according to NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, "love Proctor." In a joint mock draft between Jeremiah and NFL insider Peter Schrager this week, Schrager sent Proctor to the Lions at No. 17 overall, after fellow tackles Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano and Monroe Freeling and guard Olaivavega Ioane were off the board.
Jeremiah went on to say that "he was told the other day that whenever you’re doing these exercises going forward, (No. 17) is the absolute floor" for Proctor. "He will not get by the Detroit Lions. So, there you go. I love it when we’re getting the same stuff."
"We know our stuff," said Schrager. "Let everyone else put Kadyn Proctor in the 20’s and 30’s. Kadyn Proctor to the Lions at 17."
"He’s got great feet," said Jeremiah. "He showed up last year at 390 pounds and didn’t play well early in the year, and then was able to get back into the 350’s and played well as the season went along."
As many as seven offensive tackles could feasibly go in the first round, including Blake Miller, Caleb Lomu and Max Iheanachor, so the Lions shouldn't want for options at No. 17 overall. And if Proctor is their guy, he will likely be there.
Two weeks from the draft, the question is: smoke or fire?
