2012 NFL Mock Draft: Lions Add Offensive Tackle Kelechi Osemele

The Lions keep filling needs. It was CB Janoris Jenkins in round 1 and now it’s Osemele in round 2.

SB Nation’s Pride Of Detroit explains the pick:

After addressing the Lions’ need for secondary help in the first round by selecting Janoris Jenkins, I turned my focus to the offensive line in the second round. While plenty of talent is already off the board at tackle, guard and center, there were several names I was considering for the 54th overall pick, including Kelechi Osemele, Amini Silatolu and Bobby Massie.

In the end, I opted to go with Osemele, partly because he is such a versatile offensive lineman. He can play inside at guard or outside at tackle. For the Lions, which don’t appear to have any openings in their starting lineup on the offensive line but do have a big need for depth across the board, Osemele is a good fit. He could start his career inside and compete for playing time while being groomed to one day take over for Jeff Backus at left tackle, a position where Osemele said he is more comfortable.

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