Lions Land Iowa State Cornerback in Mel Kiper's Latest Mock Draft

Could Lions fill a need on defense in this year's draft?

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper has released his latest mock draft, and this edition has the Lions addressing their deficiency in the secondary. 

With the No. 29 overall pick, the Lions added Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa.  

"Here's a corner who might be going a little under the radar," writes Kiper. "Tampa can start for a team from day one. He played nearly 900 coverage snaps for the Cyclones, and he saw every route. After giving up four touchdown passes as the nearest defender in coverage in 2021, he allowed only three in the next two seasons. He made a massive improvement in 2023. Although Tampa had only three interceptions in college, I think he could be more productive in the NFL."

Last season, Detroit's struggles in the secondary were clear, as team's often exploited weaknesses when given the opportunity. 

Jerry Jacobs ended the season injured and Aaron Glenn resorted to trying to make things work with Cam Sutton and Kindle Vildor. 

On a weekly basis, team's figured out how to exploit Detroit's secondary, as Glenn needed to scramble to adapt to the talent on the roster. 

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While general manager Brad Holmes has said in previous interviews he likes to fill team needs in free agency, a young cornerback could be added, but possibly later in the draft. 

Kiper sees Tampa as being a player capable of starting instantly in Glenn's defense. 

"Detroit, as I wrote in my mock draft in January, struggled in the secondary last season, ranking 30th in passing yards allowed to receivers (3,081). This is where it can get an instant starter."