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The Detroit Lions were often tied to top defensive end prospects in mock drafts entering the 2013 NFL Combine. After the offensive line and cornerback position groups performed particularly well in Indianapolis, however, experts are adjusting their projections. Doug Farrar of Yahoo! Sports likes Dee Milliner at No. 5 overall, while Sports Illustrated's Don Banks has Eric Fisher of Central Michigan staying in-state.
Farrar's argument for Milliner is simple: The Lions desperately need help in the secondary, and Milliner is the total package now that any concerns about his speed are dead:
The Lions are desperate for cornerback help, and general manager Martin Mayhew has said as much. Milliner answered questions about his speed with an incendiary performance at the combine, and he provides the all-around palette of attributes any team would want.
Fisher, meanwhile, did nothing to slow down the hype from his breakout Senior Bowl performance. The Lions are aging up front, and Fisher is arguably the best player in the 2013 draft class, according to Banks:
The Lions don't just have a need at offensive line, they have needs, plural. With Jeff Backus and Dominic Raiola having played forever, and Gosder Cherilus entering free agency, Detroit can't afford to pass on a tackle prospect who some consider the equal of our projected No. 1 pick, Joeckel of Texas A&M.
More well-worn names like defensive ends Bjoern Werner or Ezekiel Ansah are still solid potential draft picks following the weekend, but the Lions clearly have much more to think about now. It's a great position to be in.
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