NFL Nation

          Lions Mailbag: What should they do in the draft?

          On Saturday, we covered a bunch of personnel issues with the Detroit Lions. Today, it is all about that draft.

          Remember, to ask a question for the Mailbag, use the hashtag #LionsMailbag on Twitter, message me at my Facebook page or email michael.rothstein@espn.com.

          Now, on to your questions.

          @mikerothstein: Receiver should be a priority in this draft. Maybe not the top priority -- offensive and defensive lines need more immediate help -- but receiver is right below that. It is for multiple reasons, too. The first would be the lack of a quality No. 3 receiver on the roster right now. Jeremy Ross was OK, but not great, in that role last season. Corey Fuller is still somewhat of an unknown. Ryan Broyles has not been healthy the majority of his career and when he has been healthy, he hasn't been used. Skye Dawson and Andrew Peacock are major question marks. The team would like for Eric Ebron to essentially become the No. 3 receiver -- or at least No. 3 target -- but the team will need more there. Then there's the Calvin Johnson question. The cruelty of time almost demands the Lions look at figuring out what the plan will be to replace Johnson eventually -- be it after this season or down the road. The Lions missed a few opportunities last year to draft an impact receiver (Odell Beckham Jr. and Kelvin Benjamin are two examples) so they really have to look harder at it this year. I'd imagine the team picks a receiver at some point in the draft. It's just a matter of what round.

          @mikerothstein: This is a difficult question because so much can happen in the 22 picks above the Lions. If Todd Gurley is there, the Lions should think hard about him. Personally, I'd be skeptical, but that's mostly because I'm not a person who would draft a running back with any sort of knee issues. But I'm not everybody. There should be a plethora of tackles (both offensive and defensive) for the Lions to consider at No. 23, and that would be how I think they would lean. The Lions know they need to protect Matthew Stafford better and open up holes for Joique Bell, so I'd look there. If Ereck Flowers is around at No. 23, that would be a strong option. La'el Collins and Andrus Peat are two other players who could be intriguing. Going to the question above, I can't imagine the Lions going with a receiver at No. 23, but if someone falls (like, say, Breshad Perriman), that has to be a consideration. That's what makes draft night interesting. As far as Riley Reiff at left guard, Jim Caldwell essentially said at the owners meetings a move to guard was unlikely. Now, if the Lions take a left tackle in the first round and LaAdrian Waddle comes back healthy, then maybe they reconsider. But right now, I don't see it happening.

          @mikerothstein: There isn't much cap space left. The Lions, as of Friday morning, have about $4.35 million in cap space, according to NFLPA records. While that sounds like a decent amount, the Lions need a good chunk of that to sign their rookie class, so there is not a ton of cap space to use as of now. It would not be surprising to see a contract or two get restructured to make sure the Lions can sign whoever they want to have, but there isn't a lot of room to sign players now.

          @mikerothstein: The Lions say they don't draft just for need -- that's something proven in past drafts -- so it is a tough metric to gauge. But if you're asking me what Detroit's three biggest needs are, it would be defensive tackle, offensive line and then a take-your-pick between cornerback, wide receiver and running back. In my mind, defensive tackle is still No. 1 because even if Haloti Ngata plays well, there should be a succession plan in place for him, considering his age and current contract situation. The offensive line, particularly at guard and tackle, could use some upgrading. Receiver was covered above. Running back is a need because Bell is creeping toward 30, Theo Riddick has not shown the capability to be an actual runner and George Winn is still an unknown. Corner is more of a groom spot because Rashean Mathis is back for another year, but if you're the Lions, you want a guy in place this season to learn from Mathis and potentially take over in 2016.

          @mikerothstein: Quick answers here. With a pick at No. 23, the odds are tough to gauge right now because a lot might depend on what plays out in front of the Lions. If I'm the Lions, I'd trade back instead of trade up. Trading up, with what Detroit needs, is not super valuable this season. But trading back and possibly claiming an extra couple of picks would be huge, considering the Lions gave up two mid-round picks for Ngata. So I'd trade back instead of up. Depending on what is on the board at No. 23, I'd recommend it if there is a willing trade partner.