Photos: NFL mock draft
23. Detroit Lions - OT Jonathan Martin (Stanford) -- MIKE MARSHALL
The Lions select the best player available. Period. That's their draft strategy. It's very unlikely Martin would make it past Cleveland at 22, but the Lions would spring on the bulldozing left tackle if he's available. Martin doesn’t have the ideal recovery footwork to deal with the fastest threats off the edge but is a reliable pass blocker. Reliable enough to protect Andrew Luck’s blindside for the last three years.
Martin is a punishing run blocker and would be another nasty big to throw in their trench. No matter who’s running in the backfield for the Lions next year, just know they’ll be following Martin off the left side to the second level as he cannonballs through a linebacker. He’s not an elite left tackle but he can be an above-average edge protector and possible pro bowl lineman.
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
