Todd McShay's Latest Mock Draft Has Lions Trading Down

Read more on wideout Jaylen Waddle being a potential draft target of the Detroit Lions.

With NFL draft trades taking place in the last week, the likelihood of the Detroit Lions selecting a wide receiver in the first-round has increased. 

In ESPN's latest mock draft, the Lions choose to address the need at wide receiver, but also traded down one spot, as the Carolina Panthers are selecting at No. 7 and the Lions selecting at the No. 8 spot.

According to NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay, "There is one of the top four pass-catchers left here and a glaring void in the Detroit wide receiver room after Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. signed elsewhere. (Sorry, Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman aren't going to cut it as No. 1 options in a division that includes Davante Adams, Allen Robinson II, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.) Waddle is an elusive burner, giving new QB Jared Goff someone to look for early and often each week."

In all of McShay's 2021 mock drafts, Detroit has target a wide receiver.

McShay's first released mock draft had Detroit targeting LSU wideout Ja'Marr Chase.

His second mock draft saw Detroit select Alabama wideout DeVonta Smith.

Waddle reportedly has top-flight speed, as he ran a 4.37 40-yard dash coming out of high school.

He has proven that he is a threat to take it to the end zone any time he gets the ball, with his speed and explosiveness.

According to PFF, "Waddle missed most of the 2020 season due to a fractured ankle, but the Bama receiver was truly an explosive play waiting to happen in the four games he appeared in. He generated a Power 5-best 4.68 yards per route run, averaged 10.7 yards after the catch, teamed up for a perfect passer rating of 158.3 on his 29 targets, and hauled in 329 deep receiving yards."

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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!