Mock draft: Lions take Miami OT Ereck Flowers

Quarterback Marcus Mariota announced he's leaving Oregon for the NFL Draft.

That's great timing for SI.com's Chris Burke — he has Mariota going No.1 to Tampa Bay in his Mock Draft 3.0 released Wednesday.

It's also good for the Lions, who again have just the draft, mock or otherwise, to look forward to. The more underclassmen who come out, the more talent is pushed down to them at the No.23 spot.

Burke has the Lions taking Miami offensive tackle Ereck Flowers, "who could develop into a long-term starter on the line. Detroit could consider him at left tackle."

But Burke adds: "Much of Detroit's offseason hinges on where Ndamukong Suh signs. But we've also seen enough from Martin Mayhew to know that he will not take a player just because his team appears thin at a position."

So he kind of qualifies it both ways.


(freep.com)