It's certainly not boring to be a fan of a team with a pick in the 20's coming up to the NFL draft. While teams like the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns have been getting mocked the same player for what seems like months now, there is a constant influx of new names into the pool for the Detroit Lions selection at 23rd overall.
Draft Tek is a site dedicated to simulating online mock drafts, and their newest 2012 consensus NFL mock draft brings it all together like an aggregate, though trades are not allowed or considered in their system. They toss a new name into the Lions draft pool, though it's another offensive lineman, Iowa State guard/tackle Kelechi Osemele.
Another offensive lineman this week, but a much different prospect this time around. Kelechi Osemele (6'5" 333) was a left tackle at Iowa State, but it was clear watching Senior Bowl praactices that he would not fit on the blindside at the next level. Time and again, Osemele was beaten to the outside by pass rushers and didn't look like the athlete he is. When Osemele was moved to right tackle or inside, he overpowered even the biggest linemen in Mobile. In 2011, Pro Football Focus gave both of the Detroit Lions offensive guards slightly positive grades. Right tackle, Gosder Cherlius, earned a -5.8. Osemele could immediately upgrade any of those positions and give the Lions a sense of nastiness they have lacked on the offensive side of the ball.
The Lions could use upgrades all over the offensive line, not simply just at left tackle or center like most mocks have been targeting for them. A big, nasty RT prospect might be just what the doctor ordered for the Lions' mediocre running game, and they can always use more protection for Matt Stafford. After all, we saw what he can do with a full season of good health in 2011.
For more on the Lions, check out Pride Of Detroit. For more on the draft in general, check out Mocking The Draft or just head to the SB Nation NFL hub at sbnation.com/NFL.
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