Todd McShay Mock Draft: Lions Will Take Defensive Tackle Malcolm Brown
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - In the second version of his 2015 mock draft, ESPN's Todd McShay projects the Detroit Lions will select Texas defensive tackle Malcolm Brown with the 23rd overall pick.
"Brown is a versatile D-lineman who has experience playing NT, DT and DE in a 4-3 defense, and NT and 5-technique in a 3-4," McShay wrote. "He's strong versus the run and showed more as a pass-rusher during his final season in Austin under head coach Charlie Strong."
McShay's prediction could easily turn out to be accurate; the Lions could lose as many as four defensive tackles to free agency this offseason. The most crucial one, four-time All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, is reportedly open to signing a long-term deal with Detroit, and the organization has remained committed to signing him at almost any cost.
Whether Suh stays or goes, the Lions will still need to add at least two defensive tackles. Along with Suh, Nick Fairley, C.J. Mosley and Andre Fluellen can also leave in free agency. If all four players depart, Detroit will be left with only one defensive tackle from the 2014 active roster - Caraun Reid, whom the team drafted in the fifth round last year.
The defensive line was arguably the best unit on the team in 2014, and because of the inevitable free agency departures, it is unlikely the group will be able to perform at the same level as last year even if Suh stays. Knowing that a great line makes life easier for the rest of a defense, however, the Lions could easily justify putting a heavy premium on the position.
For the most part, the Detroit defense carried the team in 2014, and the Lions finished the year with a record of 11-5. Given how the pivotal the line was in the defense's success, it would not be out of the question for Detroit to pay the best free agent defensive tackle in the game and also spend a first-round draft pick on a solid young player at that same spot.
Those with an ESPN Insider subscription can read the rest of McShay's mock draft here.