So here’s the truth. Week 15 of the NFL regular season has changed everything.

Before this week, there were 3 teams with a decent shot at getting Suh. Tampa Bay was holding the number 1 draft spot, until they smothered the Seattle Seahawks, and Cleveland was nipping at their heels with the number 3 slot. However, both teams miraculously won their games, thus pushing them both behind Detroit. Now, the draft order should look like this:

1. St. Louis Rams
2. Detroit Lions
3. Tampa Bay Bucs
4. Cleveland Browns

In order for the Lions to maintain this number 2 draft slot, they must maintain a weaker strength of schedule than the Bucs. Considering that the Lions have a nine game advantage over the Bucs with only two weeks remaining, it seems likely that Detroit will be selecting ahead of Tampa in April.

Right now, here is how each team stands in strength of schedule in terms of win-loss record:

Detroit Lions opponents: 115-108  (0.51570 %)

Tampa Bay Bucs opponents: 124-98 (0.55856 %)

Finally, the main reason that Detroit will land Suh in the draft is because St. Louis should be drafting a QB with the number 1 overall pick. This is a quarterback-driven league, and although the Rams need to upgrade their pass rush, they will decide to replace Marc Bulger with a young signal caller.

The only way that I see Detroit passing up Suh is if they are given a blockbuster deal worth at least two 1st round picks, and will allow the Lions to pick outside the top 10 for once.

-Jeremy Maclin (WR/Missouri)

Jeremy Maclin (NFL.com)

Lacking an offensive play-maker, Tampa looks for an explosive athlete on the outside to take some heat off of Antonio Bryant. The rest of the offense took considerable strides by signing Derrick Ward and Kellen Winslow. However, the ability to stretch the field still evades the Bucs. Releasing their aged vertical threat, Joey Galloway, was a sound move. Now, they should try to replace him with a youthful receiver like Jeremy Maclin.

What Maclin offers Tampa is more than simply a home-run hitter. The Missouri receiver adds a dangerous kick returner as insurance for Dexter Jackson (if he fails). In two years at Missouri, Maclin returned 5 punt/kicks for touchdowns. For this reason, I believe Maclin can make a noticeable impact during his rookie season. While he is busy polishing his receiving skills, Jeremy can help on special teams.

-Trade Up* (For Mark Sanchez or Peria Jerry)

In the event that Tampa falls in love with one of the quarterbacks (Mark Sanchez  or Matt Stafford) or one of the elite DT’s (Jerry and Raji), they become a prime candidate for trading up with a team like Washington or Green Bay. Think about it for a moment….Tampa doesn’t have many huge holes to fill, so the new regime might want to grab a potential cornerstone for the organization by trading up for a DT or QB.

-Evander Hood (DT/Missouri)

Evander Hood (NFL.com)

Worst case scenario, the Bucs replace Jovan Haye at defensive tackle.  Their Tampa 2 defense requires a solid pass rush out of their front 4 linemen. Who better than Evander Hood, a relentless pass rusher to help them out? One of my favorite players in this draft, Hood wows teams with his good “motor” (here’s to my buddy Andrew, isn’t that the most over-used term?), great strength (34 bench press reps), and excellent speed (4.91 sec 40-yard dash).

Next on the clock: Detroit Lions (from Dallas)

See the full hybrid mock draft here

I’d like to hear what you have to say about Jeremy Maclin. Do you think he deserves to fall this far? I’ve said my piece, now it’s your turn to make the call.

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