The Detroit Lions have two pressing issues heading into the 2013 NFL Draft: they need to get better along the offensive line, and they need to replenish their depleted depth at defensive tackle. Our friends at Pride of Detroit have now addressed both of those issues in the SB Nation NFL writers’ mock draft.
2013 NFL mock draft: Larry Warford to Detroit Lions
Protecting Matthew Stafford is a priority for the Lions with draft day approaching.
| Team | Player | Position | Height | Weight | Class |
| 36. Detroit Lions | Larry Warford, Kentucky | OG | 6'3" | 332 | SR |
| Sean Yuille: "After taking defensive end Ezekiel Ansah in the first round, I decided to address one of the Lions’ other major needs in the second round: offensive guard. The Lions are without a starting right guard after releasing Stephen Peterman, and although they have a few guys ready to compete to fill that vacancy, there are question marks about each. Bill Nagy has a history of injuries and may be a better fit a center, for example. Rodney Austin, another option at guard, is a wild card of sorts after spending last season on the practice squad. And Riley Reiff is best off staying at tackle unless the Lions draft someone like Eric Fisher in the first round. "By taking Warford, the Lions would add a talented offensive guard who could come in and be an immediate starter. The Lions still could use help at positions like wide receiver, defensive end, defensive tackle and cornerback, but protecting Matthew Stafford is the top priority in my view. Adding Warford to the mix would help the Lions solidify the right guard position, and it would also allow Nagy and Austin to focus on competing with Dominic Raiola at center. "I still am of the opinion that Fisher in the first and the best available defensive end in the second is the best-case scenario for the Lions. However, I’d be pretty pleased if the Lions ended up with Ansah and Warford. Ansah addresses their need for a pass rusher, while Warford helps fill their need to protect Stafford from opposing pass rushers." |  | ||||
Here’s our own Dan Kadar to break down the pick:
Whether it’s a guard like Warford or a right tackle like Menelik Watson of Florida State, the Lions can’t go wrong with an offensive lineman. Warford is a powerhouse guard who can handle defensive tackles by himself. That’s a trait that shouldn’t be ignored. It leaves the center to help the other guard or work to the second level. While Warford doesn’t do a lot on the move, he’s a stellar phone booth blocker and hard to move off the line.
Coming up at Noon, the Cincinnati Bengals and Cincy Jungle will make their second-round pick.
| # | Player | Pos. | College | Ht. | Wt. |
| 22 | Damontre Moore | DE | Texas A&M | 6'5" | 250 |
| 27 | Barrett Jones | C | Alabama | 6'4" | 305 |
| 29 | Manti Te'o | LB | Notre Dame | 6'1" | 241 |
| 32 | Khaseem Greene | LB | Rutgers | 6'1" | 241 |
| 33 | Jamie Collins | LB | Southern Miss | 6'3" | 250 |
Lions picks
| Rd | # | Team | Player | Pos. | College |
| 1 | 5 | Detroit Lions | Ezekiel Ansah | DE | BYU |
| 2 | 36 | Detroit Lions | Larry Warford | OG | Kentucky |
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