Almost every mock draft in recent weeks has been giving a similar theme to the Detroit Lions selections, mostly O-Line and D-Line picks like Cordy Glenn and Peter Konz. The SB Nation 2012 NFL Mock Draft is out and it bucks the trend, building up Detroit's linebacker corps instead.
SB Nation has given the Lions Luke Kuechly, a middle linebacker out of Boston College. According to the mock, the idea is the Lions should be trying to replace the service of free agent Stephen Tulloch.
Detroit got a steal when they signed Tulloch to a one-year deal for 2011. He will command a much higher price as a free agent, and the Lions might be better served to look elsewhere. If Kuechly falls this far, the Lions would pounce at the chance to get a player of his ilk.
Tulloch had 84 tackles and three sacks for the Lions defense in 2011, bolstering the fantastic play of their defensive line. He also had a pair of interceptions. He's been called the Lions 'most important free agent' but if they can replace him in the draft, it will most certainly be a lot cheaper.
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.