In our last edition of the Lions Wire full mock draft for 2021, we explored the concept of trading up from No. 7. This time, we’re going in the other direction.

Trading back is a wildly popular theory, but it proved much easier to think about and talk about than to actually pull off. I polled multiple trusted contacts (beat writers, fellow Wire editors, radio analysts) of every team with a pick between No. 10 and No. 19 with offers of trading the No. 7 selection.

Without exception, every single response began with some variation of, “(Team X) is trying to trade back, too. We’re not really looking to move up, we want more picks.”

Every single team, from Dallas at No. 10 to Washington at No. 19, responded almost immediately with that. Some were quite adamant that the Lions (or other teams in that draft range) would get laughed at in trying to engineer this type of deal in this particular draft. I stopped at 19 because the division-rival Bears are at 20 and that just seems wildly out of line (though certainly not impossible).

The two most promising initial rejections came from Arizona at 16 and Washington at 19, though interestingly each team had it hedged with “if Kyle Pitts is there” as a condition for the trade up. So I decided to manipulate the draft to where Pitts would be there at No. 7 and I took the hypothetical offer from Arizona: No. 16, No. 49 and a 2022 first-round pick in exchange for No. 7 overall and their choice of either LB Jahlani Tavai or Detroit’s pick at No. 154. They gave me back Chicago’s seventh-rounder and we called it even.

That leaves the Lions with these picks:

No. 16 overall

No. 41

No. 49

No. 72

No. 101

No. 112

No. 247

And, of course, three first-round picks in 2022 that allows the flexibility to jump back into the 2021 draft at any point they want, though we didn’t exercise that option here.

No. 16: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia

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Three things to like about Ojulari:

  • Relentlessly attacks the offense on every second of every snap
  • Emphatically improved his pass rush moves and finishing ability from 2019 to 2020
  • Has the ability to drop into zone coverage and play some in space

Ojulari is an excellent fit to play on the outside shoulder of a guy like Trey Flowers or Romeo Okwara, physical ends who work well in coordinated attacks. His burst, his energy, his attitude and his ability to finish plays in both the run and pass game are easy fits for a Lions defense that is overhauling itself on the fly. Scheme-diverse and just starting to reach his very high talent ceiling.

No. 41: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern

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Three things to like about Newsome:

  • Outstanding feet, instincts and burst in either man or zone coverage
  • Aggressive tackler with quick diagnostic skills
  • Allowed just 12 completions on 34 targets in 2020

It’s unlikely that Newsome is still on the board at No. 41, but if a run on the second wave of WRs or OL hits–and it could–Newsome’s relative lack of sizzle and durability concerns (he missed at least three games in three separate seasons for separate injuries) could make him available.

I wrote up Newsome’s draft profile at Browns Wire for deeper investigation.

No. 49: Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina

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Three things to like about Brown:

  • Averaged over 20 yards per reception on over 50 receptions in both 2019 and 2020
  • Maximized his potential on route-running in a fairly simplistic offense
  • Fearlessly physical and plays much bigger than his listed 6-foot-1/195 pounds

Brown has the speed to impact defenses over the top but showed he can snap routes off and work over the middle successfully as well. The arrow is still pointing up for a mentally tough receiver who is ready to play right away in the slot or outside. Fans who loved Marvin Jones will appreciate Brown’s style of play.

No. 72: Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa

(AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)

Three things to like about Brown:

  • At 6-foot-8 and 311 pounds he’s got outstanding length and balance on the edge
  • Uses his hands capably and with bad intentions, especially as a run blocker
  • Proved during Senior Bowl week he’s capable of thriving against better competition

Brown is making the jump from the FCS to the NFL but he’s got the size, power and athleticism to make it work well. He’s a right tackle who might need a little bit of time before he’s ready to play, but Brown knows how to use his length and power in both the run game and pass protection well enough to start as a rookie too, if needed. High ceiling player.

No. 101: Talanoa Hufanga, S, USC

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Three things to like about Hufanga:

  • Perfect fit for the hybrid S/LB spot with his size (6-1/215) and hard-hitting approach
  • Outstanding short-area quickness and reaction time in coverage
  • Improved his coverage recognition and ball skills in 2020

Hufanga has been an impact talent on the field for the Trojans in both coverage and the run game. He’s a hard-hitting safety who can play in the box or over the slot but probably not as a single-high guy. There are some injury issues and he’ll miss a tackle or two by going for the kill shot, but in this range of the draft he’s an excellent value who can start right away at a position of dire need in Detroit.

No. 112: Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina

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Three things to like about Surratt:

  • Rapidly progressed on his learning curve in switching from QB to linebacker at UNC
  • Very fluid athlete with both quickness and speed that is more than adequate for the position
  • Emotionally invested in every rep of every teammate on every snap

Surratt switched to defense just two years ago and that shows on his Tar Heels film at times. He’s not yet figured out how to shed blocks and doesn’t feel them well either, but Surratt is smart and reads the offense the way a former quarterback would see it. He’s a DeAndre Levy-type of mover and tackler and the Lions can use that right away.

No. 247: Cade Johnson, WR, South Dakota State

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Three things to like about Johnson:

  • Stole the show during Senior Bowl practices after not playing for a year
  • Excellent functional quickness and release footwork on his routes out of the slot
  • Offers additional value as a potential return man and above-his-weight-class blocker

Johnson’s tour de force performance in Mobile showed he is capable of getting open against bigger and better competition. He had success down the field in the FCS level but doesn’t have the speed or suddenness to do that in the NFL. However, Johnson is a sure-handed threat over the middle and up the seam on short and intermediate routes and won’t get outworked.