Detroit Lions Pick Texas Star RB Bijan Robinson in Latest Todd McShay ESPN NFL Mock Draft

Bijan Robinson has been widely projected to a few of the same teams throughout the pre draft process, but on Tuesday, ESPN's Todd McShay picked a new home for the Texas Longhorns star.

Another day, another new destination for Texas Longhorns star running back Bijan Robinson in the latest NFL Mock Draft. 

Only this time, it comes from one of the foremost experts on all things NFL Draft - ESPN's Todd McShay.

On Tuesday, McShay released his latest two-round mock draft for ESPN, projecting Robinson to the Detroit Lions with the No. 18 overall pick in the first round. 

And given the Lions' scorching hot finish to the 2022 season, adding Robinson to that up-and-coming and talented offensive roster would have the potential to be something special.

Said McShay:

Fans will question just about any landing spot for Robinson because of his position, but consider how heavily the Lions lean on the run and what Robinson can do for an offense. We're talking about a top-five talent in this class who can break free with burst through the hole, make defenders miss with his strength and haul in passes with his reliable hands. Jamaal Williams is gone to New Orleans, and D'Andre Swift has struggled to stay healthy and is entering the final year of his contract. Yes, Detroit signed David Montgomery, but he has rushed for 100-plus yards just three times over the past two seasons. Robinson only had three games under 100 rushing yards last year.

The Lions of course, finished the 2022 season ranked fourth in the NFL in yards per game (380.0 yards per game), and fifth in scoring (26.6 points per game). 

They were also 11th in the league rushing and eighth in passing.

That said, their rushing game will still be in flux with the exit of Jamaal Williams, and the durability concerns of D'Andre Swift, meaning that Robinson could conceivably carve out a nice role almost immediately. 

There is a possibility, as McShay mentions, that the signing of David Montgomery could play a factor in the rushing attack as well. 

However, conventional wisdom would also suggest that Montgomery would be better utilized as a change of pace for Robinson, who would be seen as the franchise's runner of the future in this scenario. 

With all that said, there is also a distinct possibility that Robinson is off the board well before Detroit is on the clock, or that the Lions shy away from taking a running back this high altogether. 

Afterall, as McShay notes, Robinson being selected at No. 18 would be the highest a back has been drafted since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 overall in 2018.

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You can follow Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan

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