By this time next week, the Detroit Lions will have a much better idea of what their draft class is going to look like. But for the next week? Speculation will continue to be a bit of everywhere.
That's the focus of this Saturday's Lions Mailbag, filled with your questions. A non-draft mailbag will run tomorrow. To ask questions for the Mailbag, email me at michael.rothstein@espn.com; check out my Facebook page and shoot a message to me there or use the hashtag #LionsMailbag on Twitter.
Now, on to your questions.
@mikerothstein can we get a list of who the Lions have brought in for pre-draft visits? #LionsMailbag
— Joe Tinpan (@JoeyTinpan) April 22, 2015@mikerothstein: Sure, that list is here.
@mikerothstein With the best player philosophy, what are the chances it's a WR and Mayhew drafts him in the 1st or 2nd rnd? #LionsMailbag
— The Arrowman (@jason_rocco) April 23, 2015@mikerothstein: Based on almost every mock draft I've seen -- and that's a lot of them -- I'd imagine the best player available at No. 23 will not be a receiver. If it is, it might depend on who that receiver is. DeVante Parker from Louisville would be close to a no-brainer at No. 23 if he's there. Not as sure on Breshad Perriman as his drops are concerning. It would not surprise me if the Lions went with a receiver in the second round, especially if said receiver also had big returner capabilities (more on that below). The board, at No. 23, is really tough to predict.
@mikerothstein What player(s) would you like to see fall to the Lions at numbers 23 and which should we avoid? #LionsMailbag
— Mike Hodges (@Lionsfan1960) April 22, 2015@mikerothstein: Who would I like to see fall? I'd like to see the Lions draft the six best quotes in the entire draft, regardless of position played. That's what I'd like to see because it makes my job easier. It doesn't matter to me who they draft as long as they can speak eloquently. As far as who the Lions should be excited about if they are there -- I think you start with Todd Gurley. Martin Mayhew thinks he's a fantastic prospect and he'd be insane value at No. 23. I'd anticipate the Lions will avoid character issue guys throughout the draft, as it goes against a lot of what Mayhew and Jim Caldwell appear to believe in. So that's my answer there.
Zack from Columbia, Missouri asks via email: It seems clear to me that the Lions are one starter short on the offensive line. Are there any starter-quality free agents left at guard or tackle whom the Lions could get? I'm completely on board with the best player available draft approach but if you need a starter how can you possibly not draft the position early?
Rothstein: I would wholly expect the Lions to draft an offensive lineman somewhere in the first two days of next weekend's draft. But before you flip out if the Lions take a running back or defensive back in the first round, look at the construct of Detroit's offensive line right now. Larry Warford -- the Lions' best lineman -- was a third-round pick. So was the team's center, Travis Swanson. LaAdrian Waddle was not drafted at all. If the Lions feel comfortable enough with Waddle at right tackle and Riley Reiff at left, then they could wait until the second or third round and potentially grab A.J. Cann (South Carolina), Ali Marpet (Hobart) or Laken Tomlinson (Duke), who are three of the better guards in the draft.
Shawn from Facebook asks: With the Lions focusing so much on returners it seems clear they no longer see Ross in that role (assuming they find one that works out). Do you think the Lions want to have him focus more on being a 3rd receiver? Or does he seem likely to have a reduced role this year?
Rothstein: Jeremy Ross is in a very, very interesting situation right now. It's pretty clear the Lions are at least contemplating an upgrade at kick and punt returner and that is the primary place of value for Ross on the Lions. He's an OK third receiver, but if Detroit does add a returner it is a decent bet that player also could double as the No. 3 receiver. So there's not a guarantee Ross is even on the roster this fall, let alone what his role will be. He's going to be one of those guys to watch. What happens with him, realistically, might be decided by how the draft plays out next weekend. Or at the very least, it'll put Ross on notice his job is in jeopardy.