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One of the top draft experts at ESPN just released his latest mock draft. Draft and fantasy football analyst Field Yates put out a two-round mock Wednesday with just three weeks left until the start of the draft on April 24 in Green Bay.
We'll take a look at the Lions' picks in his mock, but also check out who he has going to the other teams in the NFC North. So what does the great Field Yates have in store for us? Let's dive in.
No. 28 - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
"Injuries befell the Detroit defense down the stretch last season, and some of them will linger into this upcoming season -- including stalwart defensive tackle Alim McNeill's torn ACL. Harmon could help fill that hole after his breakthrough 2024 season. His 34 pressures in his lone year with the Ducks were by far the most of any FBS defensive tackle. He has the length, power at the point of attack and pursuit speed as a rusher to make a difference."
The Lions have made it clear McNeill is unlikely to be ready for Week 1. Either way, extra help on the interior wouldn't hurt for the Lions and Harmon has the strength and power to be a force inside for Detroit.
No. 60 - Tate Ratledge, OG, Georgia
"The Lions lost Kevin Zeitler in free agency, and if they don't view either Christian Mahogany or Kayode Awosika as a lock to start at right guard, Ratledge would be a great pick. He is among the most polished players in the class."
Mahogany and Awosika are the front-runners right now to start at right guard, but a player like Ratledge, with three years starting experience and plenty of power to open up holes for Jahmyr Gibbs and protect for Jared Goff, would make it a three-horse race in camp.
No. 10 - Will Campbell, OL, LSU
"I'm pretty bullish on Campbell as a prospect. Despite concerns about his 32⅝-inch arm length, he ranks fifth on my board. And in this scenario, I'm not super focused on whether he would ultimately play tackle or slide inside to guard. The Bears' starting five is already much better on paper after a busy free agency, and Campbell could play wherever he's needed.
"New coach Ben Johnson would love a player like Campbell, whose elite foot quickness and pass protection ability fit great in his system. The Bears will likely feature plenty of zone rushing schemes in 2025."
The Bears have heavily invested in the offensive line this offseason by bringing in guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson via trade and signing center Drew Dalman in free agency. The goal was and still is to protect quarterback Caleb Williams and Campbell would give the Bears flexibility at either guard or tackle. There are mocks with Campbell going as high as No. 4 to the Patriots.
No. 39 (via Panthers) - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
"As the Bears look for one more playmaker to maximize Ben Johnson's offense, they could turn to the ever-reliable Egbuka in Round 2. He set the Ohio State record for catches (205) and is a great route runner."
With the last pick involved in the 2023 trade that saw the Bears trade the No. 1 pick to the Panthers in exchange for picks and wide receiver D.J. Moore, the Bears add one more weapon for Caleb Williams with the exciting Emeka Egbuka. A trio of Moore, Egbuka and Rome Odunze with an improved offensive line would make life much easier for the 2024 No. 1 pick.
No. 23 - Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
"The Packers had the second-highest percentage of snaps in zone defense last season (70.7%), which has more to do with their personnel limitations than coordinator Jeff Hafley's scheme preference. Teams can play more man coverage when they have a dominant pass rusher or a shutdown corner. The latter could be the move here, with guys like Texas' Jahdae Barron and Kentucky's Maxwell Hairston on the board. But let's go with Williams, who posted 14 sacks over three years at Georgia.
"He has the 6-foot-5, 260-pound frame and 34⅜-inch arm length to get into the chest of blockers and swat passes at the line of scrimmage. He's coming off an ankle injury that limited him in 2024, and I think major improvement is ahead for the 20-year-old."
There's plenty of potential surrounding Williams and extra pass-rushers never hurt in a division that includes Jared Goff and Caleb Williams and their potential potent offenses. Even Minnesota with, at least for now, J.J. McCarthy.
No. 54 - Jack Bech, WR, TCU
"One of my favorite prospects in the class, Bech is an easy separator at the top of his routes. He has excellent hands and is instinctive after the catch. He might not be the WR1 that Green Bay needs, but he could make a big impact on its offense."
One of the best feel-good stories of this draft cycle has been Jack Bech. He is a very good player on the field, but the highlight of his draft process so far has to be his game-winning touchdown catch at the Senior Bowl just weeks after his brother, Tiger, was tragically killed in the truck attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day.
No. 24 - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
"Minnesota spent big to upgrade its defensive interior, but it also has to ensure its secondary does not drop off too much in 2025. The cornerback room lost Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin, and Byron Murphy Jr. -- who returned on a new deal -- is a better fit in the slot. Barron could claim one of the starting outside spots. He is one of the most instinctive players in the entire class, showing an ability to find the football from any alignment. His versatility would surely appeal to defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and he posted five interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 2024."
The Vikings have added Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah to the cornerback room. Rodgers will likely take one outside spot but Barron could immediately push to start at the other outside spot.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: NFC North projections breakdown in ESPN's Field Yates new mock draft
Continue reading...
We'll take a look at the Lions' picks in his mock, but also check out who he has going to the other teams in the NFC North. So what does the great Field Yates have in store for us? Let's dive in.
Detroit Lions
No. 28 - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
"Injuries befell the Detroit defense down the stretch last season, and some of them will linger into this upcoming season -- including stalwart defensive tackle Alim McNeill's torn ACL. Harmon could help fill that hole after his breakthrough 2024 season. His 34 pressures in his lone year with the Ducks were by far the most of any FBS defensive tackle. He has the length, power at the point of attack and pursuit speed as a rusher to make a difference."
The Lions have made it clear McNeill is unlikely to be ready for Week 1. Either way, extra help on the interior wouldn't hurt for the Lions and Harmon has the strength and power to be a force inside for Detroit.
No. 60 - Tate Ratledge, OG, Georgia
"The Lions lost Kevin Zeitler in free agency, and if they don't view either Christian Mahogany or Kayode Awosika as a lock to start at right guard, Ratledge would be a great pick. He is among the most polished players in the class."
Mahogany and Awosika are the front-runners right now to start at right guard, but a player like Ratledge, with three years starting experience and plenty of power to open up holes for Jahmyr Gibbs and protect for Jared Goff, would make it a three-horse race in camp.
Chicago Bears
No. 10 - Will Campbell, OL, LSU
"I'm pretty bullish on Campbell as a prospect. Despite concerns about his 32⅝-inch arm length, he ranks fifth on my board. And in this scenario, I'm not super focused on whether he would ultimately play tackle or slide inside to guard. The Bears' starting five is already much better on paper after a busy free agency, and Campbell could play wherever he's needed.
"New coach Ben Johnson would love a player like Campbell, whose elite foot quickness and pass protection ability fit great in his system. The Bears will likely feature plenty of zone rushing schemes in 2025."
The Bears have heavily invested in the offensive line this offseason by bringing in guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson via trade and signing center Drew Dalman in free agency. The goal was and still is to protect quarterback Caleb Williams and Campbell would give the Bears flexibility at either guard or tackle. There are mocks with Campbell going as high as No. 4 to the Patriots.
No. 39 (via Panthers) - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
"As the Bears look for one more playmaker to maximize Ben Johnson's offense, they could turn to the ever-reliable Egbuka in Round 2. He set the Ohio State record for catches (205) and is a great route runner."
With the last pick involved in the 2023 trade that saw the Bears trade the No. 1 pick to the Panthers in exchange for picks and wide receiver D.J. Moore, the Bears add one more weapon for Caleb Williams with the exciting Emeka Egbuka. A trio of Moore, Egbuka and Rome Odunze with an improved offensive line would make life much easier for the 2024 No. 1 pick.
Green Bay Packers
No. 23 - Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
"The Packers had the second-highest percentage of snaps in zone defense last season (70.7%), which has more to do with their personnel limitations than coordinator Jeff Hafley's scheme preference. Teams can play more man coverage when they have a dominant pass rusher or a shutdown corner. The latter could be the move here, with guys like Texas' Jahdae Barron and Kentucky's Maxwell Hairston on the board. But let's go with Williams, who posted 14 sacks over three years at Georgia.
"He has the 6-foot-5, 260-pound frame and 34⅜-inch arm length to get into the chest of blockers and swat passes at the line of scrimmage. He's coming off an ankle injury that limited him in 2024, and I think major improvement is ahead for the 20-year-old."
There's plenty of potential surrounding Williams and extra pass-rushers never hurt in a division that includes Jared Goff and Caleb Williams and their potential potent offenses. Even Minnesota with, at least for now, J.J. McCarthy.
No. 54 - Jack Bech, WR, TCU
"One of my favorite prospects in the class, Bech is an easy separator at the top of his routes. He has excellent hands and is instinctive after the catch. He might not be the WR1 that Green Bay needs, but he could make a big impact on its offense."
One of the best feel-good stories of this draft cycle has been Jack Bech. He is a very good player on the field, but the highlight of his draft process so far has to be his game-winning touchdown catch at the Senior Bowl just weeks after his brother, Tiger, was tragically killed in the truck attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day.
Minnesota Vikings
No. 24 - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
"Minnesota spent big to upgrade its defensive interior, but it also has to ensure its secondary does not drop off too much in 2025. The cornerback room lost Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin, and Byron Murphy Jr. -- who returned on a new deal -- is a better fit in the slot. Barron could claim one of the starting outside spots. He is one of the most instinctive players in the entire class, showing an ability to find the football from any alignment. His versatility would surely appeal to defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and he posted five interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 2024."
The Vikings have added Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah to the cornerback room. Rodgers will likely take one outside spot but Barron could immediately push to start at the other outside spot.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: NFC North projections breakdown in ESPN's Field Yates new mock draft
Continue reading...
