Manti Te'o visited with the Detroit Lions on Tuesday, according to Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site. Te'o is considered one of the top linebacker prospects in the 2013 NFL Draft, though his stock has taken a rather big tumble since the end of the college football season.
NFL Draft 2013: Manti Te’o visits Detroit Lions
Manti Te’o paid a visit to the Detroit Lions, according to reports. Could the Lions be looking to beef up their defense in the second round?
Te’o was once considered a potential Top 10 prospect after finishing the 2012 regular season as a Heisman Trophy finalist. Many felt he was exposed in the BCS National Championship Game against an overpowering Alabama offense, however. The following weeks and months didn’t help Te’o’s case. It came out rather publicly that his relationship with Lennay Kekua was a hoax, and he had a disappointing showing at the NFL Combine.
That said, Te'o's film (minus his career finale) will likely keep him in the late first round or early second round discussion. The Lions may be hoping he falls to the No. 36 overall pick in the Round 2. Currently, Stephen Tulloch prowls the middle of Detroit's defense. He was rated as just the 35th-best inside linebacker last season by Pro Football Focus, so there is good chance that Te'o would push for immediate playing time.
Te'o is projected to go No. 26 overall to the Green Bay Packers in SB Nation's latest three-round mock draft.
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