The Detroit Lions opened the 2015 NFL draft with a trade, moving down five spots to take Duke guard Laken Tomlinson with the 28th pick in the first round.
Tomlinson, at 6-foot-3 and 323 pounds, fills a need on the offense line, telling reporters in February at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis that he’s capable of playing all three interior positions.
The draft experts seemed to like the pick, too.
“He was a fixture on the right side, the right guard position (at Duke) since 2011,” said ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. “He’s a good kid, he’s strong, has really good feet.
“He’s a model of consistency, and as a pure guard he was one of the best on the board.”
ESPN’s John Gruden catalogued the Lions’ struggles on the offensive line, citing Dominic Raiola’s retirement and Rob Sims’ struggles at guard.
“They do have a very good other guard in (Larry) Warford, but this kid went to the Senior Bowl and did a good job,” Gruden said. “I thought he hung in there with the 1-on-1s and team work, and in the game (he had) all the things you’re looking for from an inside presence.”