Lions have 6 picks in the final 4 rounds, including two in the fourth round
The Detroit Lions have six picks in the final four rounds of the NFL draft, including two each in the fourth and sixth rounds.
Lions general manager Bob Quinn said he and his staff will reconvene this morning to assess their board and figure out a plan of attack for the day.
“What player do we really covet? Are there a number of players that we really covet early (today) in the fourth round?” Quinn said. “And then, (we’ll) start making some calls around, see if teams are willing to move. That’s kind of what we’ ll go through here in the next 12 hours.”
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Here are 10 players who could interest the Lions in Rounds 4-7:
• RB Samaje Perine, Oklahoma — Perine was the power back in Oklahoma’s offense last year, splitting time with Joe Mixon. He led all running backs with 30 reps on the bench press at the combine.
• RB T. J. Logan, North Carolina — Logan is on the smaller side at 5 feet 9 and 196 pounds, but he was a standout all-purpose player for the Tar Heels and could contribute as a return man as a rookie.
• TE Jake Butt, Michigan — The Lions still need a tight end to complement Eric Ebron and Butt has the most upside of the available prospects. He probably would have been a Day 2 pick if not for knee surgery that could cost him much of his rookie year.
• TE Michael Roberts, Toledo — Roberts caught 16 touchdown passes last year and is one of the more versatile tight ends left on the board. He has enormous hands that measured 11.5 inches at the Senior Bowl.
• OL Zach Banner, USC — Banner is an enormous man at 6-8 and 353 pounds, but the Lions like their linemen big. He’d likely compete for a backup tackle spot but might end up a guard.
• DB Desmond King, Iowa — King, a Detroit native, had 14 interceptions (three returned for touchdowns) in his Iowa career. He can play nickel corner or safety and also returned punts for the Hawkeyes.
Related:
• CB Damontae Kazee, San Diego State — Kazee, like King, is an undersized cornerback who was incredibly productive (17 interceptions) in his career. He’s likely a slot-only corner in the NFL, but given how in-demand the position is he should come off the board early today.
• S Jordan Moore, Texas-San Antonio — Moore probably won’t come off the board until late today and could be an undrafted free agent, but he’s an excellent special-teams player and accomplished hurdler.
• DE Deatrich Wise, Arkansas — Wise made a pre-draft visit to the Lions. At 6-5 and 274 pounds, he has the long levers and frame the Lions like in their defensive ends.
• DT Jaleel Johnson, Iowa — Haloti Ngata could be playing his final NFL season, and Johnson is the type of high-motor pass rusher who could help in a rotational role as a rookie.
Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!
