Why Daniel Jeremiah believes the Lions would benefit from having OL Zach Frazier.
NFL media analyst Daniel Jeremiah, a highly regarded figure in NFL draft analysis, recently unveiled his Mock Draft 2.0. He participated in a national conference call on Thursday to discuss various aspects of the NFL Draft preceding the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
In his mock draft, Jeremiah projected West Virginia interior offensive lineman Zach Frazier to be selected by the Detroit Lions at No. 29 overall. Jeremiah pointed out that Frazier’s wrestling background and versatility make him a fitting choice for the Lions, especially given the impending free agency of the team’s starting guards. He emphasized that Frazier could seamlessly transition into the guard position and potentially move to center in the future, aligning with the preferences of Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes has expressed the importance of maintaining a strong offensive line despite defensive needs. While prioritizing the re-signing of their free agents, Holmes acknowledged the potential market demand for left guard Jonah Jackson. There is also mutual interest between the team and Graham Glasgow for his return.
Jeremiah highlighted the depth of the interior offensive lineman class in this draft, singling out Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson, Duke’s Graham Barton, and Frazier as his top three picks. He commended their athleticism, ability to move opponents, and readiness to contribute immediately.
Discussing the overall draft landscape, Jeremiah noted the depth of the tackle class and mentioned that some players may transition to interior positions early in their careers. He assured teams seeking interior offensive line help that they would find quality options in this draft.
Jeremiah addressed various topics related to the 2024 NFL Draft, including the potential selection of Missouri edge rusher Darius Robinson by the Lions. Drawing a comparison to Cam Jordan, Jeremiah sees Robinson as a first-round caliber player, likely going in the 20s.
Reflecting on the Lions’ organizational culture, Jeremiah praised their clear identity and style of play. He identified cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. as another player aligning with the Lions’ feisty and passionate approach.
Jeremiah entertained the possibility of the Lions trading up in the draft, particularly if they had the opportunity to secure one of the top three edge rushers or cornerbacks. Regarding Michigan players, he described quarterback J.J. McCarthy as an ‘acquired taste’ with a propensity for completing passes. Jeremiah also expressed interest in Michigan’s combine-record 18 participants, singling out LB Junior Colson, WR Roman Wilson, and CB Mike Sainristil.
Finally, Jeremiah addressed the Lions’ unconventional approach in the previous year’s draft, emphasizing that not all teams can adopt a similar strategy. He explained that the Lions, having established foundations in key positions, could afford to make unconventional picks like running back Jahmyr Gibbs and off-ball linebacker Jack Campbell in the first round and tight end Sam LaPorta in the second round.
